[Dx-qsl] USPO OOOOPIES

Sat Nov 27 17:08:48 EST 2010

Hello All...
Although we could probably go on all day about these OOOPSIES by the USPO, we must also give credit to some that have gone above and beyond the call to get the job done.
An acquaintance from long ago worked in the Detroit central PO, whose job it was to channel mail to other distribution centers. I received a letter from this person with a QSL card in it. I can't say their name because purposeful disclosure of mail to someone other than the addressed recipient would get them fired. In any case, this card was from Germany, addressed to (let's use my call) WA8JOC; USA. I was asked if I could assist in getting the card to its destination. I called the person, and gave the call book address to them, and said I would forward the QSL on my dime. I was asked if this resource would be available since they were in charge of cleaning the dead-letter room and there were several shoe boxes of these "ham" cards ready to be shredded/burnt.
I mentioned that I had a one year old address book (Callbook) and would forward it to them free, and they could use that. I was assured that it would be used, and greatly appreciated. I also said that any calls not listed, such as upgrades, or personal call changes, could be forwarded to me and I would forward "blind" with no record of source to the recipient to protect their job as much as could be done. I had received 8-10 QSL's within the next 2 weeks, but had been told they were going to obtain the callbooks annually from then on on their dime, so I wouldn't have to continue this service on my dime.
It might be a good thing to check with your local postal authorities to see if there are cards "sitting" in the dead letter office and give them this option also. I checked back some time later and was told that they had found homes for at least a couple of hundred cards, and that this was now a procedure that was used to find the destination.
My own postal carrier didn't understand why my mailbox was filled everyday, and wondered what this weird address heading was.....call letters...when Dave first went to J52US.
Freddie assisted more of you than could be imagined in redirecting cards to me that had incorrect addresses/typos, etc..., or this coded address heading only for all of Dave Heil's trips. Try and find me....J52US c/o WA8JOC Cincinnati, Ohio 45247. A lot of hams got a card because of Freddie, and his coworkers who helped. He actually put out the word that if anyone had these "coded" alpha groups for the whole branch that they would be given to him, and he would give to me for addressing. To a non-ham J52US, A22MN, etc...looks like an eye exam if there are no valid addresses to go with it. Freddie's now retired several years, so I feel he's safe from losing his job, but felt he deserved credit.
I'm all for poking fun at the "dufus" factor, but also want to give credit for the ones that ask, and try to help.
IMHO...
73
Ken
WA8JOC