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Purple Heart Stamp

Press Release
Page 2

A law that went into effect in 1998 restored the previous criteria so that now only members of the U.S. armed forces may receive the Purple Heart. The Defense of Freedom Medal, the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart, was unveiled by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld on September 27, 2001.

Recipients of the Purple Heart may also join the Military Order of the Purple Heart, "the only congressionally chartered veterans organization exclusively for combat-wounded veterans."

Formed shortly after the 1932 reinstitution of the Purple Heart and chartered by Congress in 1958, the organization represents veterans before the federal government, offers assistance to veterans and their families, and also participates in numerous charitable programs, including volunteer efforts and scholarships.

This stamp will feature a photograph by Ira Wexler of one of two Purple Hearts awarded to James Loftus Fowler of Alexandria, Va. 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 an action close to the Ben Hai River on the border between North and South Vietnam.

In addition to the stamp, a special Purple Heart Matted Keepsake for $21.95 and a Purple Heart Cancellation Keepsake for $8.15 will be available at Postal Retail Stores, by calling 1-800-STAMP 24 or by visiting www.usps.com/shop.

To see the Purple Heart stamp, locate the online version of this press release at www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/welcome.htm. Current U.S. stamps and philatelic products, as well as the free USA Philatelic catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. A selection of U.S. stamps and gift items are also available online at the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop. Images of many current, past and future stamp issues can be found in the Stamp Issues section of the Collector’s Corner.

Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 140 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 $67 billion, it is the world’s leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 43 percent of the world’s mail
volume – some 203 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year – and serves 7 million customers each day at its 38,000 retail locations nationwide.

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TECHNICAL DETAILS

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 the new stamps at their local post office, affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: PURPLE HEART COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP, POSTMASTER, PO BOX 9998 MOUNT VERNON VIRGINIA 22121-9991. After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 30, 2003.

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, DEPT 6270, US POSTAL SERVICE, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014, or by calling 1 800 STAMP-24.

First day covers remain on sale for at least one year after the stamp’s issuance.