Final delivery

by Dennis L. Clay<br>Herald Staff Writer
| January 4, 2006 8:00 PM

Holman's postal service spans generations

MOSES LAKE — Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep the postman from his appointed rounds.

That's the way it was for Bert Holman during his 31-year career with the United States Postal Service, of which he spent nearly a quarter of a century delivering mail in the same Moses Lake neighborhood.

For many of the neighborhood children, Holman was the only letter carrier they ever knew. The same can be said for many of the adults. His was a career spanning generations.

On Tuesday afternoon, 30 residents of the Larson subdivision and friends and family members gathered in 38 dergee temperatures and a constant rain to watch Holman place the last letter of his career into the mail slot.

"If it's a bill, rip it in half," one person said, sending the crowd into a ripple of laughter.

As Holman locked the last mail door, the crowd broke into applause for the man who maintained their mail route for 24 years.

"As with most carriers, I started as a clerk, but soon realized I wanted a route of my own," Holman said.

What does Holman plan to do now that he will have more time on his hands?

"When the weather warms a bit, I'll be fishing more than before," he said. "I now have a fly rod and want to try fly fishing."

Overhearing the comment, his grandson, Zander, pulled at his sleeve and asked, "Grandpa, will you take me fishing?"

"You bet," Holman replied. "More than ever before."

Neighbors took turns shaking Holman's hand and handing him a card or a small gift. The group also presented him with a fly box containing a dozen fishing flies.

Although smiling, it was obvious Holman was trying to hold back a tear or two as he closed the door of his mail truck, waved and drove away.