WICHITA, Kan. — As millions of Americans prepare to kick off the summer season this Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Postal Service will be making a journey to a galaxy far, far away to memorialize some heroes of cinematic legend. Thirty years ago, Star Wars defined summer blockbuster movies and evolved into a pop culture phenomenon. This year, Americans can experience the excitement once again with a set of Star Wars blockbuster stamps which will be available Friday.

Fifteen new commemorative postage stamps celebrating the 30th anniversary of Star Wars will be available starting Friday May, 25, at Post Offices nationwide. In addition, the results of a national online ballot to decide America's favorite Star Wars stamp design will be announced. Americans can vote through midnight, May 23 on uspsjedimaster.com to determine which Star Wars character would be featured on a single stamp to be issued later this summer.

In Wichita, the Star Wars stamps will be unveiled in a ceremony at the Old Town Square across from the Warren Theaters at 1 p.m. Postmaster Mark Talbott will unveil the stamps with help of special guests including some Star Wars characters. A special postmark will also be available as well as the new stamps. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at City Arts across from the Old Town Square. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

The Star Wars commemorative stamp sheet is currently available for purchase on www.usps.com and by calling 1-800-STAMP-24; starting Friday the stamps will also be available in Post Offices nationwide.

Press note: broadcast television and radio, print media and Internet news sites can download press materials; including PATHFIRE ™ broadcast quality video, high resolution still photo images, high resolution stamp images and web media files at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom. Select the icon for Broadcast TV and Multimedia.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail volume.

STAR WARS and related character names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

# # #