This fall saw the release of a new $0.50 Forever stamp that pays tribute to our nation's first responders.
According to the United States Postal Service, the new Honoring First Responders stamp is meant to recognize "the men and women who respond to critical situations with skill, dedication and uncommon bravery."
The stamp's design represents a collaboration between art director and designer Antonio Alcala, designer Ricky Altizer and artist Brian Stauffer. The latter has achieved worldwide recognition for his iconic magazine covers and other contributions to major magazine publications such as Time, The New York Times and The New Yorker.
The digital illustration Stauffer, Alcala and Altizer created for the stamp depicts three first responders forming a patriotic red-white-and-blue visual as they rush into a cloud of smoke that represents unknown danger. All three are shown in profile, facing right, looking towards the crisis to which they are hurrying to respond.
The first figure on the left is a red fireman carrying an ax, who is following behind a grayish-white EMT carrying an emergency bag, who is herself trailing a blue law-enforcement officer leading the way with a flashlight.
Special ceremony held for stamp's release
In September, a special first-day-of issue ceremony for the Honoring First Responders Forever stamp was held at the Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center in Missoula, Montana. The venue was chosen because of its status as the nation's largest training center for firefighters who combat wildfires by parachuting into remote areas of national forests.
"Our nation's first responders rush into life-threatening situations for the benefit of others," said Guy Cottrell, the Postal Inspection Service's Chief Postal Inspector and the dedicating official at the ceremony. "The Postal Service is pleased to honor their skill, dedication and unfailing bravery with this stamp."
The U.S. Postal Service says the intention of the stamp is to honor all types and varieties of first responders, ranging from those who serve small townships or are part of the federal government to those who volunteer and those who serve as a full-time job. The agency is also encouraging enthusiasts to use the hashtags #HonoringFirstResponders and #FirstRespondersStamps when discussing the stamp on social media.
If you would like a block of Honoring First Responders Forever stamps to use when sending out your holiday cards this season, you can purchase the stamps through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) or in-person at Post Office locations nationwide.
