Got Mail?

They come in as a trickle on Monday, build to 600 a day, and conclude with the two veterans who staff EAA's US Post Office wrapping and mailing anything from landing gear to propellers to outlet purchases that can't fit into the plane.

It's the mail. And it seems that everyone has something to mail somewhere, domestic, and more and more, international.

They've always seen lots of mail heading towards the UK or Australia, but EAA postal workers Sharon Schrage and Lee Warren, with 54 years of postal experience between them, are seeing increasing numbers of mail heading to the Far East.

Their small Post Office building, which is open 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Sunday, is supplemented by five traditional mail boxes across the grounds, with pick up at least once daily. It's a full service center, with the only service missing is the ability to issue money orders.

And they don't just sell stamps. You can buy special EAA vintage stamp hats, stuffed animals, colorful postcards and bags.

For Schrage and Warren, both of who are non-pilots, it's a special assignment from their regular post office work at the 20th Avenue Post Office in Oshkosh.

"The people are super," said Warren, who is an 11-year EAA postal veteran. He recognizes and renews EAA post office friendships from attendees who return annually.

"It's a break from the everyday routine," he added. No kidding. Warren was at AirVenture when the Concorde came in 1992 and has seen both the Canadian Snowbirds and Blue Angels aerobatic teams.

However, when 90 percent of the people on the ground are looking toward the sky, it does make it challenging to pick up the mail around the grounds by golf cart in the late afternoon. "We go very slowly," he laughed.

What else makes it through EAA's US Post Office? Some of the more interesting items are airplane parts, camping gear and tents, and airplane manuals hard to secure elsewhere, scooters and bicycles. They call it creative packaging.

By the end of the week, it takes four or five postal vans to cart off the "big" stuff. And then it's time to break the office down and think ahead for next year.

FMI: www.usps.com