CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Post Office will salute Chicago’s Finest with a stamp ceremony, Monday, September 17 for the new Honoring First Responders commemorative Forever stamp. The stamp honors the men and women who serve as firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical professionals for their skill, dedication and uncommon bravery.
The morning ceremony will be outdoors at 10 a.m. at the Chicago Fire Department, Quinn Fire Academy building at 558 W. Dekoven St. An enlargement of the new stamp will be unveiled and a special pictorial cancellation postmark will be available. Among the speakers will be Chicago Postmaster, Wanda Prater, USPS Chicago District Manager, Randy Stines, Chicago Postal Inspector in Charge, Craig Goldberg and also representatives of the Chicago Fire Department, Richard C. Ford II, 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner, Chicago Police Department, Deputy Chief of Police Dwayne Betts and Chicago Emergency Medical Services, Mary Sheridan, Assistant Fire Commissioner Emergency Medical Services. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
The official first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for Honoring First Responders Forever stamp was held Sept. 13 at the Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center in Missoula, MT.
Fires, medical emergencies, accidents and violent crimes require us to look to those who possess the training and knowledge to treat the injured, rescue the endangered and restore safety and order. For many, responding to emergencies is their full-time occupation, while others are highly trained volunteers. First responders are found throughout society, from small townships to the federal government, and their ranks often include a wide range of law enforcement professionals and public safety personnel, from air marshals and transit police officers to park rangers and fish and game wardens.
Stamp design
The digital illustration on this stamp is a symbolic scene that shows three first responders in profile, facing right, as they race into action. First is a firefighter carrying an axe, second is an EMS worker with an emergency bag, and third is a law-enforcement officer shining a flashlight. The dark background and signs of smoke around the figures suggest the wide range of situations that demand the immediate attention of a first responder.
Artist Brian Stauffer worked with art director and designer Antonio Alcalá and designer Ricky Altizer to create this stamp. Stauffer has been a contributing artist to the New York Times, Time magazine, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone and more than 300 other publications worldwide. His illustrations bridge both the traditional and digital realms and are best known for their conceptual take on social issues.
Stamp ideas welcome
The public is encouraged to submit stamp suggestions. Visit the following URL for details on the stamp selection process and instructions for submitting stamp subject suggestions:https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/csac/welcome.htm.
New Postal Service stamps can be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPS or via Twitter @USPS. Postage stamps are available for purchase at Post Office locations, online at usps.com, and by toll-free phone order at 1-800 STAMP-24. Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers can be found at the Postal Store under “Collectors.” A video of the Honoring First Responders ceremony will be available on Facebook.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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