Vet News: U.S. Postal Service Unveils World War II Stamp

The achievements and ideals of the men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States during World War II will be the focus of attention May 29 in Washington, DC, when the U.S. Postal Service issues a postage stamp depicting the National World War II Memorial.

"The thousands of dedicated employees who carry the mail salute the millions of Americans who defended our nation," said Postmaster General John Potter, who will dedicate the stamp. "This stamp will recognize and pay tribute to the men and women from the front lines to the home front -- who worked to preserve the freedom of our great nation during World War II."

Scheduled to join Potter at this national first-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony is World War II veteran and Vice Chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors John Walsh.

The stamp image features a computer-generated design by stamp artist Tom Engeman depicting the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. The memorial itself was designed by Providence, RI, architect Friedrich St.Florian The stamp image highlights one of two 43-foot memorial arches and shows a section of a curving row of 56 pillars, each representing one of the states, territories and District of Columbia that comprised the U.S. in the World War II era.

"This commemorative stamp, like the memorial itself, is a beautiful tribute to the service and sacrifice of America’s World War II generation," said ABMC Secretary Maj. Gen. John Herrling, USA (ret). "We all are looking forward to greeting tens of thousands of World War II Veterans and their families at the dedication celebration."

To see the National World War II Memorial stamp and other images from the 2004 Commemorative Stamp Program, visit the Postal Service website and view this news release at http://www.usps.com/shop. Click on Release Schedule in the Collector’s Corner.

Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to about 141 million addresses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $68 billion, it is the world’s leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today’s postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 43 percent of the world’s mail volume -- some 202 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year -- and serves seven million customers each day at its 38,000 retail locations nationwide.

SOURCE: PR NEWSWIRE