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Alvin Gauthier, a USPS letter carrier with two decades of service, began his career at the age of 19. His recent actions exemplified his deep dedication to his job.
“I was preparing for my route when I stumbled upon letters dated back to 1942, from the time of World War II,” Gauthier shared. “As a veteran myself, I recognized the historical significance. Mail has always been a morale booster for soldiers, so my immediate thought was to locate the family.”
With only limited information—a soldier’s name, a military return address, and a vague recipient address in Jacksonville, Arkansas—Gauthier embarked on a mission to reunite the letters with their rightful owners.
Gauthier enlisted the help of the local NBC station in Little Rock, which aired a story leading to the discovery of the soldier’s family, still residing in Jacksonville.
“I could have simply mailed the letters, but sometimes you have to go the extra mile,” Gauthier remarked. “In this case, it was more like an extra 379 miles.”
On his day off, Gauthier made the journey to Jacksonville, Arkansas, covering his own expenses for gas and lodging, determined to deliver the letters in person.
“For me, it’s about forging a connection with my extended family,” said Jo Ann Smith, whose brother, the soldier, had sent the letters. The package had accidentally lost its contents before reaching its destination.
The letters, addressed to Jo Ann’s daughter, Debbie Smith, in Grand Prairie, Texas, held profound sentimental value. Jo Ann expressed her gratitude, saying, “It restores your faith in people.”
“They’re like family to me now,” Gauthier affirmed. “And if a similar situation arises in the future, I would gladly do it all over again.”