Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2002
Stamp Release #02-059
Purple Heart Recipients To Be Honored On New Postage Stamp In 2003
WASHINGTON - U.S. military men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart for sacrifices made on the battlefield will be honored on cards and letters starting next year when the U.S. Postal Service issues the Purple Heart postage stamp.
Recommended by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for issuance in 2004, Postmaster General John E. Potter decided to move up the stamp's release date by including it in the 2003 stamp program. The design of the stamp is in development and is expected to be unveiled within the next several months. The stamp will be issued next year on a date and at a location to be determined.
The 37-cent Purple Heart stamp will be a First-Class definitive stamp, which means it will be a "mail-use" stamp available for an indefinite period rather than the customary yearlong sales period generally used for commemorative stamps.
"For many years, the Postal Service has issued new postage stamps honoring its veterans, and now it is very appropriate that we honor the heroes who fought and were injured protecting the freedoms we hold so dear," said Potter.
Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available toll free by calling 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available in the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.
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Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 137 million homes and businesses 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 $65 billion, it is the world's leading provider of postal services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 207 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves 7 million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide.
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