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Rural carriers receive Million Mile Awards
Nevada Daily Mail
Rural carriers Chet Foreman and Jim Liles were surrounded by friends and family as they were honored with Million Mile Awards in a ceremony Thursday morning at the Nevada post office.
"This is a lifetime achievement that doesn't happen every day," said postmaster Julie Mader.
The son of a postal employee, Foreman started his career with the United States Postal Service in 1985 as a substitute for Larry Buckles in Walker. In 1987, he transferred to Milo, and then in 1989 to Nevada. Foreman is active in the community and a long time supporter of 4-H.
Liles is also a post office legacy as his father was a rural carrier. Liles started as a substitute in Horton in 1982 and became a full time carrier in 1988. He has hauled the mail for Horton and Richards since then. He said he still enjoys the job.
"He's a great guy! Hardworking and funny...always willing to lend a hand," Amanda Liles Pollock, Liles' niece, said of her uncle.
USPS Manager Safety from Kansas City, Kevin Devore, was in attendance for the event and addressed the crowd gathered in the back room. "It is a beautiful morning to honor two friends and coworkers -- we applaud you for your accomplishments -- today is your day."
Mader said of the two, "They go the extra mile. They know and take care of their customers so they don't have to come in to the post office. For many of their customers, Foreman and Liles are 'their carrier.'" Mader said that she can only imagine the challenges faced by rural carriers everyday, but praised their determination saying they are what "ties the people to the rest of the county -- when you're a rural carrier, you're a post office on wheels. They can do everything the post office can."
Also in attendance was Patty Vacca, retired postmaster from Horton. She helped Liles get started with the post office and he is now "her" mail carrier. She said Liles is never late, and always helpful.