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When This Mailman Retired, The Entire Neighborhood Threw Him A Party He'll Never Forget

May 25, 2019

An entire neighborhood in Georgia threw a party for a beloved USPS mail carrier on his last day.

Floyd Martin has been a mail carrier in Georgia for over three decades. And for the past 20 years, Martin has worked the same route in downtown Marietta.

When some of the neighbors learned Martin was planning to retire, they knew they had to send him off in style.

Jennifer Brett tagged along on his route and documented the incredible day on Twitter.

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

"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!"
"The dogs, too," Floyd said. "The dogs get Milk Bones." pic.twitter.com/ktZSBxlgfE

— 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."
- 30- pic.twitter.com/C3g3Mq5Dbb

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

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

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

In addition to the party, neighbors launched a GoFundMe page to send Martin to Hawaii, his dream vacation. More than $26,000 was raised in one day.