Sen. Webb wants purple heart stamp re-issued as “Forever Stamp”

News release
Published: May 14, 2008

Read the news release from Sen. Jim Webb’s office below

Senator Jim Webb, along with a bipartisan group of seven Senators, today called on the United States Postal Service to issue the Purple Heart stamp on a permanent basis as a “forever” stamp.  In a letter to Postmaster General John E. Potter, the Senators praised the reissuance of the Purple Heart stamp at the new 42-cent First Class rate but urged that the stamp be made permanent to honor servicemembers and veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

“This is a most appropriate way to honor past and future recipients of our nation’s oldest military decoration,” said Senator Webb, a Marine combat veteran, who received two Purple Hearts during the Vietnam War.

Henry J. Cook III, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart stated that “MOPH appreciates the continuing efforts of Senator Clinton and other members of Congress who are working to make the Purple Heart Stamp a ‘forever stamp.’ With the on-going conflicts and members of the military receiving the Purple Heart Medal for wounds or death on the battlefields MOPH believes that the Purple Heart Stamp is one way that America can honor their sacrifices.”

The 42-cent Purple Heart stamp, which is the fourth issue of the Purple Heart definitive postage stamp, went on sale nationally earlier this month. The Purple Heart stamp was first issued on May 30, 2003.  The Senators all support the Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act, a measure introduced last year by Senator Clinton that would require the Postal Service to issue the stamp on a permanent basis as a “forever” stamp.

The text of the Senators’ letter is below:

The Honorable John E. Potter
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Room 10022

Dear Mr. Postmaster General:

As the Postal Service increases its rate for First-Class mail letters, we write to express our appreciation for the recent reissuance of the Purple Heart stamp at the new 42-cent rate and, more importantly, to reiterate our belief that the Postal Service should commit to issuing the Purple Heart stamp on a permanent basis as a “forever” stamp.  Such a step would be an appropriate way to honor the servicemembers and veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart for their extraordinary sacrifices in defense of democracy and freedom.  In the Senate, we all support legislation introduced last year by Senator Clinton – the Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act – that would require the Postal Service to issue the stamp on a permanent basis as a “forever” stamp. 

As you know, the Purple Heart medal is a combat decoration awarded to members of the Armed Forces – or their next of kin posthumously – who are wounded or killed by the enemy.  The Purple Heart was first devised and awarded by George Washington in August 1782.  At that time, it was known as the Badge of Military Merit.  The Purple Heart was revived in 1932, on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth, and has since been awarded to more than 1.5 million veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other expeditionary conflicts.  The Purple Heart Stamp was first issued by the Postal Service on May 30, 2003.  It has since been re-issued three times, in May 2006, June 2007, and, of course, most recently in April of this year.

With so many courageous American troops in harm’s way in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world, we are all reminded of the extraordinary sacrifices that our nation’s veterans have made in defense of democracy and freedom.  Now is a particularly appropriate time to recognize and honor those Purple Heart recipients who have sacrificed so much on our behalf by committing to permanently issuing the Purple Heart stamp as a “forever” stamp.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to hearing back.

Sincerely,

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

Senator Sherrod Brown

Senator Jim Webb

Senator Blanche Lincoln

Senator Robert Menendez

Senator Lisa Murkowski

Senator Norm Coleman

Senator Chuck Hagel