The US Postal Service announced it will “suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity” on Wednesday for the national day of mourning honoring the late former President George H.W. Bush.
The White House said Saturday that President Donald Trump would declare Wednesday a national day of mourning for the country’s 41st president. On Wednesday, family and friends will gather at the National Cathedral in Washington for an 11 a.m ET memorial service.
Trump and former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are expected to attend the service, according to sources familiar with the planning of the funeral.
“Out of respect for the 41st President of the United States and to honor his vast contributions to our country during his lifetime, and consistent with the Presidential Proclamation,” a statement on the USPS website reads, “the United States Postal Service will suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity on Dec. 5.”
“We will provide limited package delivery service on that day to ensure that our network remains fluid and we do not experience any impacts to our package delivery operations that might negatively affect our customers or business partners during the remainder of our busy holiday season,” the statement continues.
The agency has closed or suspended operations at least seven times to mourn presidents, including John F. Kennedy in November 1963, Dwight D. Eisenhower in March 1969, Harry S. Truman in December 1972, Lyndon B. Johnson in January 1973, Richard Nixon in April 1994, Ronald Reagan in June 2004 and Gerald Ford in 2007.
US financial markets will also be closed on Wednesday to honor Bush, and the US Supreme Court postponed arguments.
