ALTANTA –
A United States Postal Service mail carrier with nearly 35 years of service retired recently in the Atlanta area, according to a sweet Twitter thread showing his last day on the job and the celebrations that ensued in the neighborhood he served.
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Jennifer Brett is behind the social media posts celebrating Floyd Martin.
The entire, spectacular Twitter thread (and a link to all the posts celebrating Martin and aspiring to send him to Hawaii) are below. What do you think of this community's efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
THREAD: Floyd Martin retires after nearly 35 years as a mailman tomorrow. I went with him on his route today. pic.twitter.com/qZhUVY7Sz8
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
He graduated from Marietta High School in 1975 and took the postal service test a few years later. By the time they got in touch he already had a job at a bank, but the USPS offered to double his pay. "I was like, OK when you do want me to start?" pic.twitter.com/P304AP4tAs
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
Lorraine Wascher was waiting for him today. She's been a stop on his route for more than 20 years. "He always had a smile, always had a wave." pic.twitter.com/v8dD8CVoq9
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
Lots of the "mail" Floyd picked up today was hand-delivered. "My people are so good to me," he said. "I'm going to miss them." pic.twitter.com/e6Mi8WctZl
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
Kids on his route love, love, L-O-V-E Mr. Floyd. Little Mae Bullington dressed up as Mr. Floyd on the day her school had career day. "I was so flattered," he said. "It touched my heart." pic.twitter.com/BbeT3AlhHp
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
Floyd is a tall, slender, very fit 61. His job involves lots of walking, which keeps him in great shape. But he is done with the heat. In summertime, the mail truck is basically a rolling oven. Last summer, Floyd decided, would be his last. pic.twitter.com/8v7HtKlCcV
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
"He feeds all the cats," said Peggy Corn, who's been on Floyd's route for decades. "They all know him, and they know that buggy!"
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
"The dogs, too," Floyd said. "The dogs get Milk Bones." pic.twitter.com/ktZSBxlgfE
Floyd is the youngest of 4. It was his mom's idea for him to join the USPS. He's sad she's not here to see this send-off. Joyce Hardin's mother is on Floyd's route and said he totes her newspaper to the porch. "Thank you for taking care of mama, after daddy passed," she said. pic.twitter.com/8hdnKf22Xt
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
"This is my friend Jim," Floyd said, introducing Jim Pietrowski. Jim's wife Charlotte recalled when the kids next door were little, they'd wait at the window for Mr. Floyd to roll up. They knew he was good for a lollipop. "When we met Floyd, it was like he was an old friend." pic.twitter.com/a0UZ36uGLV
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
Floyd lives in Atlanta with his dog Gigi. It'll be a little weird to just receive mail and not deliver it anymore. "I'm just going to smile," he said. He doesn't have children, just the 500 houses worth of kids he spends 6+ hours with every day. He hopes to go to Hawaii one day. pic.twitter.com/W0RHdRvzgj
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
Morgan Beatton and River, 18 months, waited for Mr. Floyd today. As always he had treats for their dog, Sage. He said he'll come visit and attend events like Taste of Marietta. "I'll be back," he said. "Y'all are my life."
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019
- 30- pic.twitter.com/C3g3Mq5Dbb
Update! People on Floyd's route decorated their mailboxes to surprise him on his last day pic.twitter.com/7vo8Gepv2s
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
I mean they were *all* into it. pic.twitter.com/8nkF8Deg9B
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Once his very last shift was finally over, the neighborhood had another surprise for Mr. Floyd. 300+ people came to a covered dish block party in his honor. pic.twitter.com/8UvAclP6CA
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Here's a short clip of Floyd next to one of the mailboxes decorated in his honor. He could have taken an easier job at the post office over the years but didn't. "I could have left them a long time ago but I wouldn't, because I love them." pic.twitter.com/SOaIf3wBYr
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
People stood in line all night for hugs and photos. Floyd's known these guys since they were babies. "Now you guys are as tall as I am!" pic.twitter.com/yb6UwiyJtz
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Doreen Hipps, 87, has been on his route since the beginning. Her granddaughter Amanda Seals spoke on her behalf tonight. "Dementia has set in, and she doesn't see well anymore, but she still knows Floyd." pic.twitter.com/h5z5ij92hw
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Sarah Bullington organized tonight's sendoff for Floyd and invited him to be a celebrity judge at the Maple Avenue Halloween Parade this Oct. 31. If you've never been .. it's something. pic.twitter.com/27KX47Y5Vt
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Floyd has seen his people through many of life’s changes. Some good, some bad. They’ve done the same for him. “You were there when I needed you, even if you didn’t know it.” pic.twitter.com/CAPx1nDY2H
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Floyd said tonight’s sendoff was the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for him. His parting words: “Continue to take care of each other, and smile when you think of me.” -30 - pic.twitter.com/OsYgT1PgCp
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Another update! Neighbors have launched an official Go Fund Me to help Mr. Floyd realize his dream of visiting Hawaii one day. https://t.co/SPlhOXf8bW
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Here are some more clips and photos from the party last night. 300+ people came - it was incredible. #MrFloyd pic.twitter.com/2yntHmrk1r
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
It took forever to #MrFloyd to even get to his own party - people kept stopping him for photos and hugs! pic.twitter.com/5xA17m60Ja
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019
Lots of people took photos with their pets. #MrFloyd is much loved among the canine set, too. He always kept Milk Bones in his mail truck! In this photo, Stella joined her people, the Courtoy family. pic.twitter.com/TKoeUVxor9
— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019