Speech Segment The following suggested speech segment is for use at local ceremonies and events to support the Honoring Veterans stamp. Feel free to customize it to fit your local event and community. Good [INSERT "MORNING" / "AFTERNOON"]. It is a tremendous honor for me to represent the United States Postal Service today as we unveil the Honoring Veterans stamp. The unveiling of this stamp gives us a wonderful opportunity to recognize and thank fellow Americans who have served our country and many who continue to serve through veterans service organizations. This stamp salutes all veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, whether in wartime or peacetime, in active units, the reserves, or the National Guard. With this stamp we recognize the vital and varied roles veterans have played to ensure our peace, to stop aggression, and to provide logistical support during crises. Veterans account for more than 25 million Americans or almost 1 in every 10 adults. And, more than a quarter of a million of them are Postal Service employees. The Postal Service has a long and distinguished history of serving this country, not only through providing mail service to every American home and business, but also in its role as a leader in virtually every community. Many Postal Service employees continue to serve our country and fellow Americans by actively serving in the National Guard or by working with one of the many veterans service organizations. We are extremely proud of these Postal Service employees who have given of themselves so that the rest of us can live in peace and security. We give them thanks today. It is my hope that the Honoring Veterans stamp will help Americans focus on the valor, courage, and dedication of these people, many of whom are our neighbors, friends, and family members. They work "behind the scenes" to ensure a safe and secure environment for all of us. And, now, if [INSERT NAMES OF CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS] would join me in unveiling the Honoring Veterans stamp... I appreciate this opportunity to introduce this stamp to our customers and friends in this community. Thank you again for taking the time to join us here today for this important occasion. # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME] For Event Calendar/Weekend Advisory Editor: LOCAL VETERANS TO BE HONORED WITH UNVEILING OF NEW POSTAGE STAMP [INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] - Military veterans from [INSERT YOUR CITY] will be honored [INSERT DATE] by the U.S. Postal Service with the dedication of a new commemorative postage stamp at a ceremony at [INSERT LOCATION]. [INSERT CITY] Postmaster [INSERT NAME] will host a [INSERT TIME] ceremony to honor the veterans of this community. Also participating in the ceremony will be [INSERT NAMES AND TITLES OF PARTICIPANTS]. The 34-cent Honoring Veterans stamp will be available at the ceremony and at Post Offices nationwide starting May 23. "The Honoring Veterans stamp pays tribute to the patriotism and valor of the thousands of dedicated U.S. military veterans who have served, and continue to serve, their country both here and abroad," said [INSERT POSTMASTER'S LAST NAME], who will unveil the stamp. The Honoring Veterans stamp recognizes the vital and varied roles veterans have played to ensure peace, stop aggression, and provide logistical support during crises. More than 25 million Americans, or almost 1 in every 10 adults, are veterans. To see the Honoring Veterans stamp and other forthcoming 2001 stamps and stationery, visit the Postal Store at www.usps.com; select Shop, then Shop the Postal Store, then Stamp Release Schedule. To see previous releases, select Index of Stamp Issues. # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME] PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RADIO PUBLIC INVITED TO HONOR VETERANS; NEW POSTAGE STAMP WILL BE UNVEILED IN [INSERT CITY] ON [INSERT DATE] [INSERT CITY] Postmaster [INSERT NAME] invites everyone to [INSERT LOCATION] to honor local veterans on [INSERT DATE] from [INSERT TIME] to [INSERT TIME]. On that day, the United States Postal Service will dedicate the new Honoring Veterans postage stamp, which pays tribute to the men and women who have proudly served, or continue to serve, our nation and community. Come take a moment to say "thank you" for a job well done. For more information about the Honoring Veterans stamp, go to the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com. - end -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME] LOCAL VETERANS TO BE HONORED WITH UNVEILING OF NEW POSTAGE STAMP [INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] - Military veterans from [INSERT YOUR CITY] will be honored [INSERT DATE] by the U.S. Postal Service with the dedication of a new commemorative postage stamp at a ceremony at [INSERT LOCATION]. [INSERT CITY] Postmaster [INSERT NAME] will host a [INSERT TIME] ceremony to honor the veterans of this community. Also participating in the ceremony will be [INSERT NAMES AND TITLES OF PARTICIPANTS]. The 34-cent Honoring Veterans stamp will be available at the ceremony and at Post Offices nationwide starting May 23. "The Honoring Veterans stamp pays tribute to the patriotism and valor of the thousands of dedicated U.S. military veterans who have served, and continue to serve, their country both here and abroad," said [INSERT POSTMASTER'S LAST NAME], who will unveil the stamp. The Honoring Veterans stamp recognizes the vital and varied roles veterans have played to ensure peace, stop aggression, and provide logistical support during crises. More than 25 million Americans, or almost 1 in every 10 adults, are veterans. Many veterans continue to serve their country, their fellow veterans, and their communities as members of veterans service organizations. These organizations provide aid to veterans and their families, including assistance with benefit applications, transportation to Veterans Affairs medical facilities, and burial and memorial services. Local communities also benefit from the work of veterans service organizations through scholarship programs, youth sports activities, and other programs designed to promote civic pride. Designed by Carl Herrman, of Carlsbad, California, the stamp features a photograph of the United States flag. The phrase "Honoring Veterans" appears at the top of the stamp, and the phrase "Continuing to Serve" appears at the bottom. To see the Honoring Veterans stamp, and other forthcoming 2001 stamps and stationery, visit the Postal Store at www.usps.com; select Shop, then Shop the Postal Store, then Stamp Release Schedule. To see previous releases, select Index of Stamp Issues. # # #
[INSERT DATE] MEDIA ADVISORY LOCAL VETERANS TO BE HONORED IN [INSERT CITY] WITH UNVEILING OF NEW POSTAGE STAMP EVENT: Dedication and unveiling of Honoring Veterans commemorative postage stamp, recognizing all military veterans and those continuing to serve with veterans service organizations. WHO: [INSERT LIST OF CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS AND NOTABLE GUESTS OR KEY OFFICIALS] WHAT: [INSERT DETAILS OF EVENT] WHEN: [INSERT HOUR, DAY, AND DATE] WHERE: [INSERT EXACT LOCATION OF EVENT] BACKGROUND: The Honoring Veterans stamp salutes all veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces, whether in wartime or peacetime, in active units, the reserves, or the National Guard. The stamp recognizes the vital and varied roles veterans have played to ensure peace, to stop aggression, and to provide logistical support during crises. More than 25 million Americans, or almost 1 in 10 adults, are veterans. CONTACT: [INSERT NAME(S) AND PHONE NUMBER(S) OF POSTMASTER OR OTHER CONTACTS] # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME] LOCAL VETERANS HONORED WITH UNVEILING OF NEW POSTAGE STAMP [INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] - Military veterans from [INSERT CITY] were honored today by the U.S. Postal Service with the dedication of a new commemorative postage stamp at a ceremony at [INSERT LOCATION]. [INSERT CITY] Postmaster [INSERT POSTMASTER NAME] unveiled the stamp to honor the veterans of this community. Joining [INSERT POSTMASTER'S LAST NAME] at the ceremony were [INSERT NAMES AND TITLES OF PARTICIPANTS AND NOTABLE GUESTS]. The 34-cent Honoring Veterans stamp is now available locally and at Post Offices nationwide. [INSERT INTERESTING DETAILS OF EVENT] "The Honoring Veterans stamp pays tribute to the patriotism and valor of the thousands of dedicated U.S. military veterans who have served, and continue to serve, their country both here and abroad," said [INSERT POSTMASTER'S LAST NAME], who unveiled the stamp. The Honoring Veterans stamp recognizes the vital and varied roles veterans have played to ensure peace, stop aggression, and provide logistical support during crises. More than 25 million Americans, or almost 1 in every 10 adults, are veterans. Many veterans continue to serve their country, their fellow veterans, and their communities as members of veterans service organizations. These organizations provide aid to veterans and their families, including assistance with benefit applications, transportation to Veterans Affairs medical facilities, and burial and memorial services. Local communities also benefit from the work of veterans service organizations through scholarship programs, youth sports activities, and other programs designed to promote civic pride. Designed by Carl Herrman, of Carlsbad, California, the stamp features a photograph of the United States flag. The phrase "Honoring Veterans" appears at the top of the stamp, and the phrase "Continuing to Serve" appears at the bottom. To see the Honoring Veterans stamp, and other forthcoming 2001 stamps and stationery, visit the Postal Store at www.usps.com; select Shop, then Shop the Postal Store, then Stamp Release Schedule. To see previous releases, select Index of Stamp Issues. # # #
Day after the event:
SAMPLE LETTER TO LOCAL NEWSPAPER EDITOR
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME] [INSERT JOB TITLE] [INSERT NAME OF NEWSPAPER] [INSERT STREET ADDRESS] [INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4] Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]: I want to thank the citizens of [INSERT CITY NAME] for their enthusiasm and support in making yesterday's unveiling of the Honoring Veterans postage stamp such a successful event for our community and for the U.S. Postal Service. Our nation's commemorative stamp program has been developed over the past 100 years largely through the participation of the American people. Your stamp ideas and suggestions are instrumental in helping the Postal Service honor some of the greatest achievements and achievers that have made our country great. We believe the Honoring Veterans stamp represents another important step in our efforts to recognize those who have protected our freedom and served proudly during war and peacetime. Whether by providing universal mail service to everyone, everywhere, every day, or through our responsibilities as a community leader, the Postal Service will continue to work hard to deliver the promise of providing quality communications services across the country and right here in [INSERT CITY NAME]. Sincerely, [SIGN] [INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME] Area Public Affairs and Communications Managers
Participation of Public Officials The issuance of the Honoring Veterans stamp is a perfect opportunity to involve public officials in an important and positive local event. There is likely to be keen interest on their part, as it provides elected representatives a chance to interact with constituents in a friendly, civic setting with secured media coverage. You are encouraged to reach out directly to your federal, state, and local elected officials. Government Relations representatives are available to assist you in coordinating political involvement and would be pleased to help in any way. This section of the Community Relations Publicity Kit contains simple guidelines, sample letters, a suggested invitation list, and the names and telephone numbers of your Government Relations contacts. Before the EventSend a written invitation (see sample), 4 to 6 weeks before the event, to your two U.S. Senators, your congressional representatives, the governor of your state, and the mayor of your community. Please include any other local elected officials you feel would be appropriate. The local postmaster should sign the invitations. Follow up the written invitation with a telephone call to the elected official's scheduler within a week if you have not received a reply. You may need to call more than once. Keep in touch with all elected officials who respond. If asked, provide updated information to the elected official's staff as it becomes available (e.g., who else is participating, where and when to meet, what his or her role will be, etc.). Stress that remarks should be brief and limited to the unveiling of the Honoring Veterans stamp and recognition of military veterans and veterans service organizations. Include names of all participating elected officials on the official program as honored guests, and mention them in all media advisories, if applicable. Provide a courtesy copy of the program to the elected official in advance. After the EventSend a written thank you to all elected officials who participated in the ceremony, expressing your appreciation. Provide copies to their offices of any newspaper articles about the event. Even though they surely will see those articles on their own, you can take the opportunity to remind them of the press coverage the event received. Provide a supply of extra cachets with the special cancellation, if applicable, to elected officials, even to those who could not attend. These make great giveaways and serve as a positive reminder of the event. Obtain and frame a photo of the elected official posing beside the stamp image, and make an appointment to present it in person, if possible. A matted, framed photograph stands a good chance of being hung on the wall of the official's office, again serving as a positive reminder of the event. Keep in touch with your elected officials. Good relationships are built over time.
Before the event:
SAMPLE INVITATION TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME] [INSERT TITLE] [INSERT NAME OF ORGANIZATION] [INSERT STREET ADDRESS] [INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4] Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]: Employees of the [INSERT NAME] Post Office invite you to be an honored guest at a special dedication ceremony on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT TIME] when the United State Postal Service unveils the Honoring Veterans commemorative stamp. The stamp salutes all veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces, whether in wartime or peacetime, in active units, the reserves, or the National Guard. The stamp recognizes the vital and varied roles veterans have played to ensure peace, to stop aggression, and to provide logistical support during crises. The U.S. commemorative stamp program honors only about 30 subjects every year, so we are especially pleased that this dedication event is coming to [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY]. At the stamp dedication ceremony, you will be invited to say a few words about the stamp, the proud service records of the men and women of the military, and the important role played by veterans service organizations. We expect significant press coverage of the unveiling ceremony and a good size crowd, including families and civic organizations. We hope you will join us to recognize many of the people who defend and serve our community and our nation. Please confirm your participation by calling [INSERT NAME OF CONTACT] at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER] as soon as possible. Sincerely, [SIGN] [INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
After the event:
SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS/PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME] [INSERT TITLE] [INSERT NAME OF ORGANIZATION] [INSERT STREET ADDRESS] [INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4] Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]: On behalf of the United States Postal Service, I want to thank you for joining us during our recent dedication of the Honoring Veterans commemorative postage stamp. It was a wonderful event for [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY], and your participation helped make it a success. All of us in the Postal Service are extremely proud of the role our organization has played as a community leader and in commemorating many of the people, places, and events that have made our country great. The Honoring Veterans stamp dedication ceremony was a wonderful way for us to share this pride with our friends, neighbors, and customers here in [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY]. I am enclosing 10 copies of our special cancellation [IF APPLICABLE] for you to share with your constituents, as well as copies of press clippings and photographs that recorded the event [IF APPLICABLE]. The Postal Service stands with the American people on the threshold of a new millennium. We will build on our legacy of binding the nation together by providing reliable, cost-effective service to our customers. I look forward to working with you in future community events. If I can be of assistance with any Postal Service matter, please contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER]. Sincerely, [SIGN] [INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME] Government Relations Contacts We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. As you plan your Honoring Veterans stamp ceremony - or any special civic event - please let us know. Alphabetical State/Representative Listing
- Community Relations,Public Affairs and Communications, 4-19-01 |
