Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night ...

"Messenger of Sympathy and Love, Servant of Parted Friends, Consoler of the Lonely, Bond of the Scattered Family, Enlarger of the Common Life, Carrier of News and Knowledge ...."

The words inscribed on the building once housing the Washington, D.C. Post Office and now home to the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum might describe any one of our nation's 224,000 city letter carriers, including Ashland's David Gall:

So it is with a mixture of appreciation and curiosity that we meet up with David — who has a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eyes — as he goes about sorting his mail and beginning his route one grey and drizzly Ashland morning.

David Gall prepares for his rounds. See video.

DT: David, please tell us a little about yourself and your family.

Gall: I'm 55 and have been a letter carrier for 33 years — 22 here in Ashland, and 11 in Tarzana, California. My wife Laura runs Reflective Hearts pre-school. We have four grown children and five granddaughters. Laura and I spend quite a bit of time with the four granddaughters living in Ashland — watching soccer and volleyball and just being a part of their lives--and whenever possible, visit our newest granddaughter in California.

DT: Could you tell us a little about your early years and interests?

Gall: I was born in Burbank, California and raised in Encino. My father worked in banking, my mother was a homemaker until she also went into banking when my two brothers and I were older. About the only thing I was interested in was sports.

DT: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Gall: In high school I took an interest in writing and, combining that with my interest in sports, became the sports editor of our school paper. While in college, studying journalism, it became a little less fun. Doing an internship with The Daily News of San Fernando Valley, I found it stressful. Soon I was married and realized I didn't want the constant headache of doing something I didn't enjoy. I'd seen how the stress of my dad's job cut into family time. I wanted a job where I could leave my work at work and give my full attention to my wife and children at home. So I took the test to work for the post office and have been a letter carrier ever since.

DT: Did you have any celebrities on your routes while working in Tarzana?

Gall: I used to deliver to a few celebrities. Delivered a Christmas card from Burt Reynolds to Sally Field. Walked by Pat Benatar's house before she made it big and could hear her practicing in the garage. William Katt, Pat Morita, Robby Benson were all on my route. It was pretty exciting at first, but after a while it doesn't even phase you.

DT: What brought you to Ashland?

Gall: Our kids were young and we didn't want to raise them in the San Fernando Valley.

DT: How many routes does the Ashland Post Office service? And what does your route consist of?

Gall: There are 17 city routes, four rural routes, and one highway contract route. My route is the only completely walking one in the city. It has 620 stops divided equally between homes and businesses. And I really like the walking. It's great exercise.

DT: With the increasing popularity of electronic communications, what changes have you observed in the postal service? And how about since 9/11?

Gall: Personal letters are way down. Christmas cards as well. Though parcels still do well. Since 9/11 we are given talks on increased parcel and letter security. If I see something suspicious, I'm to report it. But it's never happened. The only suspicious thing I've ever noticed in all my years as a letter carrier was when I had a driving route in Tarzana and opened a mailbox one time and a dead rat was staring me in the face.

DT: 3, 268 letter carriers were attacked by dogs in 2004. Have you ever been attacked?

Gall: Never in Ashland, but while in Tarzana I was bitten three times. Nothing serious. We're taught how to avoid dogs. Basically, keep facing the dog and back away. Face em, and show em you're not scared--even though you just wet your pants!

DT: What do you think it is about a letter carrier that gets dogs so worked up? And are there any dogs in Ashland who give you a particularly bad time (asked by someone who has a particularly bothered dog)?

Gall: It could be that we come to the house, they bark, we leave--and maybe they think, "we've won." There's one dog here, every time I put the mail in the door slot he grabs it and sounds like he's ripping it to shreds. I have no idea what that mail looks like when he's done.

DT: If you could wave a wand and change three things about your job what would they be?

Gall: I wouldn't change anything, I'm pretty happy doing what I'm doing. Though...I would love to see more of the bulk business mail that is undeliverable get recycled here.

DT: In life, what do you feel has been the most important thing you've learned?

Gall: To treat everybody the same, whether they are celebrities or homeless...to treat people like I would like to be treated.