Fernandina Beach Postmaster opens his heart to a military soldier in Afghanistan

Customer John Stevenson visited Fernandina Beach Post Office to log a complaint about a set of golf clubs he had mailed to his son who was on active duty in Afghanistan.  Stevenson explained to Postmaster Ed Lang that he mailed the golf clubs nearly one year ago and the clubs never reached his son.  Stevenson shared all applicable paperwork (receipt, customs form) pertaining to the shipment with Lang.  Lang reviewed the paperwork and realized since the items were shipped internationally one year ago and were not insured there wasn’t anything he could do but apologize on behalf of the Postal Service.  Customer Stevenson expressed his appreciation to Lang for his concern and honesty stating Lang was the first postal employee who actually listened and apologized.  However, in the midst of Stevenson’s discussing his appreciation, Lang had an immediate thought and stopped Stevenson in mid-sentence.

Lang recalled that he was in the process of receiving a set of golf clubs he had just ordered which would leave him with two spare sets.  Lang asked the customer his thoughts on Lang donating one of his set of golf clubs so Mr. Stevenson could send them to his son in Afghanistan.  Initially, Mr. Stevenson was speechless but he regained his composure and wholeheartedly accepted the offer.  They agreed on a meeting time and Lang presented Mr. Stevenson with the clubs. “It made me feel food to do something for someone else; most importantly, to resolve a customer issue that appeared to be Mission Impossible.  I was on Cloud Nine for the next week,” said Lang.

L-R: Customer John Stevenson, Fernandina Beach Postmaster Ed Lang