For nearly 35 years, Floyd Martin drove a mail truck. On Thursday, cruised through downtown Marietta in a sporty convertible, serving as grand marshal of the town’s Let Freedom Ring Parade.
“It was amazing,” he said. “It was such an honor to have been asked.”
Here are some video highlights:
When retired a little over a month ago, neighbors on his longtime route decorated their mailboxes to surprise him, and more than 300 people gathered for a block party in his honor.
This thread about him went viral, and he has been featured on national (and international) network and cable television broadcasts and a slew of print and digital media outlets. A production company based in Tokyo and Manhattan sent a film crew to Marietta to document his story and the piece just aired in Japan.
Martin, who grew up in Marietta and graduated from Marietta High School in 1975, lives in Atlanta now. He promised friends on his longtime route he’d be back to visit, and received a hero’s welcome on Thursday. The Motown classic “Please Mr. Postman” boomed over the loudspeakers as he approached the grandstand. All along the parade route, you could hear little kids shouting “Mr. Floyd!”
“I had a great time,” he said afterward. “It means everything to me.”
Here are some more photos:
Soon after Martin’s story started trending, Delta Air Lines and Marriott got in touch. Martin’s dream for retirement has been to visit Hawaii and Delta and Marriott are taking care of his flight and accommodations.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said. The successful Go Fund Me neighbors started will help with other needs in retirement.
“It’s been overwhelming but yet exciting,” Martin said of all the accolades he’s enjoyed. “It lets me know I got it right.”
Mail routes are decided by a bidding process. Martin’s advice to his successor: “Don’t try to be me. Just be your best you.”
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