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IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS:
The first letter of record was written in stone, and was sent 'Special Delivery' to Moses.
Post-rider, Paul Revere, delivered the mail verbally, and saved the firearms of the Massachusetts Militia.
It was many years and many footsteps later to Bluffton, the home of Muskegon's first Postmaster, Henry Pennoyer.
The footsteps of Einer Larsen, on Route 1, Jackson Hill, were slow and deliberate. With Archie Blood, Route 38, the steps were faster and longer -- extending beyond Steele Middle School. The footsteps took the lives of Walt Froncek, on Route 27, and Jack Valentine, on Route 33.
The footsteps leading to West Michigan were many and varied. My book, 'IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS', is an attempt to pay tribute to your letter-carrier, and the postal clerk that gets them on their way.
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The footsteps of the letter-carriers and postal clerks of the 1950's were found to have come out of WW II. Previous to that, the path led from the "Great Depression". There were even a few that had marched in WW I. Keeping step with them were the rank and file of the early union workers. This was the generation that brought solidarity to the union movements, that fought the Hatch Act, the Taft-Hartly Act, and which constantly reminded the Federal Goverment that they were to be honored for what they had done - and were doing. In the Muskegon Post Office this was people such as Donald E. Johnson, Jim Vegter, and George Halverson. This was Gordon Branyan, Elwood Anderson, and Herman Gust. This was Howard Koone. Anyone that came into the Post Office after 1970 likely has little or no knowledge of what the postal service was like before PRIVATIZATION. Since the Postal Re-Organization Act of 1970, the character and dignity of the Post Office has been greatly altered. This 200 page book is available at the Muskegon Museum, 430 W. Clay; the Pine Street Antique Store, 902 Pine Street; the Muskegon Antique Mall, 5905 Grand Haven Road; and USA Mail Today, 1071 S. Getty. Or by mail, postage paid for $13.00. Mail to POST HASTE - 1949 Franklin St. - Muskegon, Mich. 49441-2935
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