This week, USPS will observe a series of events recalling the events of the “anthrax crisis” a decade ago and the progress that has been made to better protect employees and the public from future attacks.

PMG Pat Donahoe, who during that time was Chief Operating Officer, recalled the crisis as “one of the saddest, most difficult periods I have personally ever experienced.” He expressed the hope that the “resilience and a sense of duty” employees showed during that time will continue, adding that the lessons learned from the crisis are to stay vigilant and “to keep the safety of our people and our customers as one of our top priorities.”

On Oct. 21, 2001, Thomas Morris, an employee at what was then known as the Brentwood P&DC in Washington, DC, died when he accidentally inhaled anthrax that had leaked from a letter being processed at the facility. A day later, Brentwood employee Joseph Curseen died in a Maryland hospital, also due to inhalation anthrax.

The Postal Service already had been at the center of the crisis when, days earlier, it became apparent the mail containing the bacteria that causes the disease was being used to send letters to members of Congress and the news media. On Oct. 18, it was learned that a letter carrier in New Jersey had developed skin anthrax.

Like others in New Jersey and Washington who were exposed to the skin and inhaled versions of the attack, she was treated and survived. Employees in the work areas contaminated by anthrax spores who did not show symptoms of the attack also were treated and were unharmed.

Tomorrow, a private observance will be held at the Trenton, NJ, P&DC. On Friday, the Postal Service will conduct a private event at the Brentwood facility — now known as the Curseen-Morris P&DC.

Later on Oct. 21, two ceremonies will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. These events, scheduled at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., will be open to the public.