Governor Culver to Help Postal Service Launch New Flags of our Nation Postage Stamp

September 4 Ceremony will be Held on West Steps of State Capitol

Des Moines, Iowa – Residents of the greater Des Moines area are invited to join Iowa Governor Chet Culver and U.S. Postal Service officials in a community celebration on Thursday, September 4, honoring the Special Dedication Ceremony of the Flags of Our Nation - Iowa postage stamp. The stamp is one of 10 designs in a set that is available as a coil of 42-cent self-adhesive stamps highlighting flags and scenes from each state or territory.

The Flags of Our Nation - Iowa stamp event will be held on the west steps of the Iowa State Capitol building, located at East 9th Street and Grand Avenue, beginning at 11 a.m.

"With the release of these impressive stamps we pay homage to the majesty of our state’s flag," said Doug Morrow, manager of the Postal Service’s Des Moines-based Hawkeye District. The stamp series marks the first-ever issuance of all the state, territory and District of Columbia flags.

The Flags of Our Nation multi-stamp series features the Stars and Stripes, the 50 state flags, five territorial flags and the District of Columbia flag. Ten stamps were issued this spring (Stars and Stripes, plus Alabama through Delaware), followed by 10 more this fall (District of Columbia through Kansas).

To see the Flags of Our Nation stamps, go to the Postal Store at shop.usps.com, click on Stamps and then on Coils. To see other 2008 stamps click on Stamps. All current stamps, philatelic products, and gift items are available by calling toll free, 800 STAMP-24, or 800-782-6724.

Those who cannot attend, but who wish to obtain the pictorial postmark, may do so at the Des Moines Post Office or submit a mail order request. Pictorial postmarks are available only for the date indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class postage. Items submitted for postmark may not include postage issued after the date of the requested postmark. Such items will be returned to the sender without postmark.

To obtain a postmark by mail, customers should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: IOWA FLAG POSTMARK, MAIN OFFICE STATION, 1165 2ND AVE, DES MOINES, IA, 50318-9707, before October 4.