Purple Heart Postage Stamp Honors Sacrifices of Those Who Served

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ARLINGTON, Va., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribute was paid today to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who courageously defend our country. The U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Veteran Affairs were joined by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in a ceremony rededicating the Purple Heart Definitive stamp.

The Purple Heart stamp was first issued on May 30, 2003, at Mount Vernon, Virginia. At a time when our military service members continue to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is appropriate that the Purple Heart stamp be reissued at the new First-Class 39-cent rate.

"Today, we rededicate the Purple Heart stamp for every member of our armed forces who courageously goes in harm's way to defend us all. And tomorrow we invite millions of Americans to join us by placing these stamps on their cards and letters," said James C. Miller III, Chairman of the U.S. Postal Service's presidentially appointed Board of Governors, who was joined by Secretary of Veteran Affairs R. James Nicholson in the stamp dedication.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded in combat or to the next of kin of those killed in action.

According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization for combat-wounded veterans, the medal is "the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to the common soldier."

Nearly 100 Purple Heart recipients were invited by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to sit in a special VIP section so they can view the ceremony unobstructed. As part of the ceremony, Purple Heart Medals were awarded to two wounded OIF/EOF combat veterans, Army Specialist Michael Hilliard and Army Specialist Ian Wagner.

"The observance of VA's 75th anniversary has involved many efforts to draw attention to the service of our veterans to our country. This stamp not only honors our combat-wounded veterans, but does so in a manner that lets all Americans reflect on their sacrifice. VA is proud to join the United States Postal Service and the Military Order of the Purple Heart in the re-issuance of the Purple Heart stamp," Secretary Nicholson said.

The stamp image features a photograph by Ira Wexler of one of two Purple Hearts awarded to James Loftus Fowler of Alexandria, Virginia. Fowler was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marines and was serving as battalion commander of the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, when he received this Purple Heart in 1968 following action close to the Ben Hai River on the border between North and South Vietnam.

The 39-cent Purple Heart stamp goes on sale nationally Saturday, May 27.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at The Postal Store Web site at http://www.usps.com/shop. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

[ClutterbusterNY]

I'll have to stock up on these. I bought out all of the 37-cent Purple Heart stamps at P.O.s in my area and still use them with a 2-cent stamp.
I believe we should honor the sacrifices in big ways and small.