The Postal Service issued a new U.S. Flag stamp.
The USPS dedicated the new flag stamp at a ceremony at the Vickers Theater in Three Oaks.
“An enduring emblem of freedom, national unity and patriotic spirit, the flag of the United States has flown proudly stateside, abroad and even on the surface of the moon,” said Donald Dombrow Jr., the Postal Service’s Michigan 2 District manager, who spoke at the ceremony.
Other speakers included photographer Doug Haight, whose artwork is featured on the stamp.
The current American flag consists of 13 alternating horizontal stripes — seven red and six white — and 50 stars on a field of blue. The stripes represent the 13 Colonies that declared independence from Great Britain to become the nation’s first states. The stars represent the present number of states.
The stamp features an image of Old Glory, fluttering in a breeze, against a bright white background. The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are rendered in blue type above a horizontal red stripe. “FOREVER/USA” appears along the bottom of the stamp in gray lettering.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp, which will be issued in booklets and panes of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
