Local mail carrier receives ‘Million Miler’ safety award
Letter carrier Albert Cursi on Friday joined a distinct group that only 2.5% of United States Postal Service employees have been a part of.
At the post office in Washington, Cursi received the “Million Miler Award,” which is given to carriers with either a million recorded miles of driving or 30 years of driving without an accident. Cursi has worked for the post office for more than 30 years.
Officials with the post office presented Cursi with a plaque and a jacket Friday morning to commemorate the achievement. Two dozen of his coworkers also received awards for safe driving.
Cursi, of Richeyville, called the moment “overwhelming.”
“I’m glad. It’s been a great job, it’s been a great career. I got one more year, then I’m retiring,” Cursi said.
Prior to Cursi receiving the award, Billie-Jo Takach, postmaster at the Washington post office, called it a “huge honor” to become a million miler.
“Every day that we walk in here, we’re making a choice to be safe, to be courteous, to be a defensive driver, to be conscientious on everything that we are doing,” Takach said. “And I appreciate everything that you guys do on a daily basis in making the right choices to work safely.”
Curtis Williams, the manager of post office operations in Fayette and Westmoreland counties, used to work in the Washington post office and was a supervisor in 1999 and 2000. He called it a “privilege and an honor” to be part of Cursi’s celebration.
“I remember when Al first got here,” Williams said. “Million miles is a huge accomplishment. It doesn’t happen every day.”
For Cursi, staying safe on the road is about always being aware that other drivers may not be paying attention.
“I think to myself, ‘What’s the other person going to do?’ You really don’t know where they’re going. They’re on their phone, they’re eating cereal while they’re driving, and putting makeup on. Let them go first. Let them get out of the way, and then you can go on your way.”