Purple Heart Stamp Daily Reminder of Valor

May 26, 2006

VA Secretary Praises Issuance of New Purple Heart Stamp

WASHINGTON – In continuing recognition of the sacrifices of combat-wounded veterans, the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, joined with top officials from the U.S. Postal Service today to unveil a new Purple Heart stamp.

Nicholson, a West Point alumnus and retired colonel in the Army reserves, also presented the Purple Heart medal to two soldiers being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for combat wounds.

“This stamp will be a daily reminder of the extraordinary valor of our service members,” said Nicholson during remarks at a ceremony for the first day of issue for the stamp held at Arlington National Cemetery.

"It is fitting that we have every-day testimonials to the wounds of war that, for some veterans, have occurred through their brave and selfless service to our grateful nation," Nicholson added.

Receiving the Purple Heart were Army Specialist Michael Hilliard and Army Specialist Ian Wagner.

The new 39-cent postal stamp has the image of the military's Purple Heart medal.  Created by George Washington in 1782 for soldiers in the Continental Army, the Purple Heart now goes to military men and women wounded in combat.  Next of kin of veterans who die in combat also receive the medal.

In 2003, the U.S. Postal Service first issued a 37-cent stamp with the medal's distinctive image – a profile of George Washington on a purple background within a heart-shaped medallion.  The new stamp has the same image, although it comes in the new 39-cent value set for first-class postage.

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