NEW YORK, NY —The New York City Post Office is offering a special pictorial postmark on June 16th to honor the John J. Harvey fireboat and crew.

The fireboat became famous for her heroic efforts in response to the September 11th attacks. After joining volunteer tugs and ferries evacuating a trapped crowd of 150, the John J. Harvey was commandeered into official service by the FDNY when asked to pump water at the Word Trade Center site.

The New York Post Office is hosting a second day stamp ceremony of the New York State, Flags of Our Nation stamp which features the John J. Harvey in its background. The specially authorized postmark (pictured), will be available immediately after the ceremony. New Yorkers are invited to join the Postal Service at Noon tomorrow on Pier 66 Maritime, at the foot of West 26th Street and the Hudson River.

Customers can request the special postmark free-of-charge by mail for 30 days after the event by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope containing the letter or envelope they wish to be cancelled to: Postmaster, 421 8th Ave, New York, NY 10199-9619. “Obtaining the postmark is a wonderful way to take home an inexpensive souvenir of this historic event,” said Postmaster Lorraine Castellano.

For more information, customers may call the New York Post Office’s Marketing and Retail Department at (212) 330-2985.

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

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