On Thursday, Sept. 11, former postmaster of Mesquite Steve Hoff presented Chief Jayson Andrus, Mesquite Fire Chief, with the first cancellation of the original 9/11 commemorative stamp, originally issued by the United States Postal Service.

“On behalf of honoring all first responders on September 11, 2001, as well as my grandson and daughter, who have served as firefighters, and in my respect for the Mesquite Fire Department who serve our community, I want to present this framed stamp to be displayed in the firehouse.”

Chief Andrus accepted the honor, sharing a handshake. “I am humbled and grateful to be part of a community that honors first responders. Thank you.”

Hoff retired as the postmaster of Mesquite in 2005. The picture of the New York firefighters and the stamped envelope were presented to Hoff by the Las Vegas area postmaster to acknowledge Hoff’s 32 years of working for the United States Postal Service. The stamp is the first cancellation of the 9/11 stamp issued by the postal service.

The Twin Towers Post Office was located across the street from the World Trade Center. Although it was heavily damaged by debris when the South Tower collapsed, all employees evacuated safely. One of the most difficult tasks for that post office was sorting through all the mail that would never be picked up. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum now holds artifacts from the post office.

After serving in the United States Navy, Hoff began working as a mail handler for the Las Vegas, Nevada, post office in 1973. He then became an operator for a letter-sorting machine. He eventually chose a management position as a mail carrier foreman. In 1988, Hoff was promoted to the account manager for the largest mailer in the United States with the postal service, Citibank. Hoff spent many years traveling as a businessman, representing the United States Postal Service.

In 1991, Hoff moved his wife and daughters to Mesquite to become the postmaster. During his tenure, a new post office was built on Mesquite Boulevard. Prior to Postmaster Hoff, P.O. boxes were the only form of mail pick-up. Hoff designed routes throughout Mesquite and coordinated the home delivery system, allowing residents to receive mail in cluster boxes, closer to their residences.