The 1st day issue of our Star Route Commemorative Stamp took place on November 1, 1986, with an impressive ceremony held at the Worthington Hotel in Ft. Worth, Texas. Over 300 contractors, postal guests, stamp collectors and friends attended the 11:00 a.m. dedication, complete with an Air Force Color Guard and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by two high school students singing in harmony, and heard featured speaker, Southern Region PMG Harry Penttala trace the history of Star Routes from 1786 up through the present. Mr. Penttala said in part" ...indeed highway contracting and the nations postal systems go hand-in-hand...have helped shrink the distance between people...and bound the north with the south and tie tiny hamlets with great cities...this stamp, then is the USPS way of saying thank you to the devoted men and women who maintain our complicated transportation network that has contributed so much to our country and its people."

Penttala was followed to the mike by Association Executive Director, John V. “Skip” Maraney who introduced honored guests, Assistant PMG for Mail Processing, Bill Campbell, Mrs. Keta Sodrel, past Association president Roy Sunderland and wife Corabelle, Association Vice-President Marion Mitchell and wife Irene, and Association Secretary-Treasurer Dale Foreman. Association President Michael E. Sodrel then offered comments as to how the history of our country can be found in the issuance of postal stamps and the Star Route stamp is another proud moment in the industry’s history.

The ceremony was followed by refreshments in the form of a Star Route truck cake and coffee and autographing sessions of 1st day stamps and envelopes by the head table participants. Stamp albums were presented to former Association presidents Bob Sodrel, President Ronald Reagan, Dave Fuquay, and Don Waite in absentia.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Regional Vice President Randy Royster called the contractors only portion of the southern region joint meeting to order at the Stockyard Hotel and the contractors were given a briefing on the new postal reorganization and where they fit in the scheme of things. The members were also updated on postal policy changes impacting their contract. A lengthy questions and answer and problem solving session filled the rest of the Saturday afternoon meeting. A cocktail reception took place that evening with members, wives guests and friends sharing in the conviviality.

On Sunday morning Vice President Royster called the joint meeting to order and introduced Regional PMS Harry Penttala who in turn introduced Assistant PMG Bill Campbell and Paul Seehaver from USPS Headquarters staff. The Southern Region TMO’s were present, Don Hayes of Memphis, Carl Adams of Atlanta, Wilbur Clarke of Jacksonville, and Evelyn Parks representing Ed Harris of Dallas. Divisional Managers/Postmasters present included, Art Smith, Tampa, Richard Carleton, Oklahoma, Charles Kernan, New Orleans, Howard Buck, Dallas, Bob Davis, Birmingham, Sam Green, Houston, D.T. Bailey, Jr., Jackson, Miss., Ray Asbury, Nashville, as well as many members of their staff. Contractors spent all morning getting questions answered, presenting problems in the field, hearing new economic policies on contracts and hearing, somewhat, of the jurisdictions of the USPS Divisions and the TMSC’s so far as highway contractors are concerned. It was well established that local dock improvement programs between highway contractors and postal personnel would become a staple of the future throughout the country and would definitely be an asset for both parties. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:00 noon. Many thanks go to Craig Burkett who had shuttle buses running for two days between the Worthington and Stockyard Hotels. It certainly was a convenience for all who attended.