Articles
Bill Seeks To Name Arlington Post Office After Letter Carrier
Washington,
March 16, 2022
Tags:
Veterans
Originally published on Patch.
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer introduced legislation Tuesday to rename the post office in Arlington on N. George Mason Drive after local letter carrier Jesus Collazos, who died of COVID-19 early in the pandemic after working for 25 years as a U.S. Postal Service carrier. Collazos, who immigrated to Northern Virginia from Colombia in 1978, began his career working at the post office on N. George Mason Drive. “Jesus Collazos was a beloved figure who personified the American dream and gave back to the Arlington community he loved,” Beyer said in a statement. “It is extremely fitting that we would rename a postal facility in Arlington after this person who delivered mail there for 25 years until his retirement.” “His untimely death was a great loss to the region, but I hope this commemoration will bring a measure of solace to his family,” the congressman added. Collazos retired from the USPS in February 2019, planning to spend more time with his grandchildren. In early 2020, Collazos was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive cancer. While being treated, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was intubated a week later, then suffered a stroke that put him in a coma. He died on June 6, 2020, at the age of 67. An outdoor memorial service for Collazos was held June 26, 2020, where community members, family and friends came together to honor his memory. His USPS coworkers opened the ceremony with a mail truck parade. The bill proposes that the facility of the post office at 2200 North George Mason Drive in Arlington be renamed the "Jesus Antonio Collazos Post Office Building." The post office is currently designated as "Arlington Post Office." |
