By Victoria Cubbage
Thank you, Jake, for 42 plus years of service to the Broadway Post Office. Happy Retirement!
I have been employed with the Postal Service since 1993 and was promoted to Postmaster in June of 2016. In all my years, in the postal service, I have never worked alongside or managed a better employee. Jake Caplinger has so many attributes that defines his character. Here are just a few of them.
Honesty – Jake had almost 2 years of sick leave when he left the postal service. He would say to me “Boss, I thought about using that leave, but what if I really would get sick?”
Integrity – integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. Integrity defines Jake Caplinger! Unintentionally, I can be a micromanager. I did not have to be anywhere near Jake to know that all the postal work was getting done and it was done correctly.
Loyal – Jake had numerous stories to tell, and I loved to listen to them. He told of one instance where a Postmaster called him to work in their office to NOT pay overtime to the clerks employed in that office. Jake was firm in his reply, “These people are my friends, I can’t do my friends like that.”
Dependable – I could call Jake anytime, day or night to change a tire, turn off a vehicle light, or any unexpected issues at the office. His reply would be “I got it boss; I got it! Don’t you worry about it.” And I didn’t. I trusted him as much as my closest friend, maybe more. Jake never missed work and his schedule could be changed at the very last moment; he would never complain. One of the stories that Jake would tell, was when one of the Broadway patrons came home from vacation and the post office had been holding their mail. After midnight, Jake received a phone call, and the customer wanted their mail. Jake got up and met the customer at the post office!
Friend – As I experienced my own health issue this year, Jake checked on me several times. He even mentioned that he didn’t want to put me in a bind by retiring while I was sick, to which I replied, “Jake your future cannot depend on me and my health issues; your retirement is long overdue.”
After 31 years of postal employment, I can honestly say that I have NEVER worked with or managed a better employee! Jake, I will miss you more that you will ever know! I will miss your vacation stories. I will miss the comfort of knowing that you have my back! Most of all, I will miss YOU! Your retirement is well deserved and long overdue. I wish you health, happiness and a long life to enjoy!
Promise to stay in touch!
Love, Vicky and Broadway employees
