Eric Sevareid Special Cancellation Available

Velva’s own celebrated on one of “American Journalists” Stamps

VELVA, ND — In recognition of the contributions of journalists to our nation, the Velva Post Office, the Velva Area Voice, Velva Chamber of Commerce, Velva Public School and Future Business Leaders of America will join together to celebrate the issuance of the “American Journalists” commemorative stamps, featuring Velva’s native son Eric Sevareid.

A special cancellation honoring Eric Sevareid will be available Wednesday, April 23, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Velva Public School Library at 101 4th St. W. The Velva Library will host the event including a reception and refreshments. A souvenir card portraying Velva and Sevareid in younger days and affixed with the special cancellation will be available for $1 (plus 42 cents postage) with all proceeds supporting the Velva Library.

The “American Journalists” stamps recognize the contributions of American journalists to the betterment of American society, exposing and exploring the people, processes, challenges and accomplishments of a country, its people and its role in the world.

Eric Sevareid, writer and broadcast journalist, is particularly remembered for his reporting on World War II and the Vietnam War, and for his commentary on American politics in the 1960s and ’70s. His rugged good looks and confident tones concealed the reticence he overcame to interview statesmen, Supreme Court Justices, novelists, and other leading figures of the day.

Born in Velva in 1912, Sevareid served his apprenticeship as a reporter while studying political science and journalism at the University of Minnesota, where he wrote for the campus daily and for two Minneapolis newspapers. He graduated in 1935.

In 1937, he went to Paris, where he joined the staff of the New York Herald Tribune and was noticed by Edward R. Murrow, the respected CBS newsman. When Murrow offered him a job, Sevareid was at first reluctant because he preferred to concentrate on writing. But he duly accepted the offer, becoming one of “Murrow’s boys” who provided unforgettable radio commentary on World War II. Sevareid reported on the approach of the Germans to Paris, the exodus from the city, and on life in London during wartime.

After the war, Sevareid was an early critic of the anticommunist witch-hunting tactics of Senator Joe McCarthy. He produced several books and magazine articles. Collections of his work include In One Ear (1952) and Small Sounds in the Night (1956).

In 1963, Sevareid joined Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News, which had recently expanded to a half-hour format, as a regular commentator, delivering carefully crafted two-minute analyses three or four times a week. After retirement in 1977, he occasionally was host for special news programs and documentaries. As he grew older, he noted that he tended to conservatism regarding foreign policy and liberalism in domestic affairs.

As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial postmark cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request.  Pictorial cancellations are available only for the date(s) indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

Mail order requests should be sent to:

Eric Sevareid Special Cancellation
Velva Post Office
105 Main St. N
Velva, ND 58790-9998