Wednesday, May 13, 2026
These stamps will show off American icons
The images for the set were chosen by designer Ralph Lauren
The Postal Service will release American Icons, a set of 13 commemorative stamps honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary, on June 9.
American designer Ralph Lauren curated the images used on the stamps, marking the first time USPS has asked an individual to do so for a stamp issuance.
The 13 stamps use photographs Lauren selected from his archives that reflect freedom, independence, equality, opportunity and the pursuit of happiness.
The stamp set features one stamp in the center surrounded by 12 additional stamps, with all designs including the “American Icons” collection name.
The center stamp shows a knit flag, designed by Lauren, with additional text that reads “1776” and “2026” written in blue and separated by a star.
The images on the 12 surrounding stamps include an American flag, a baseball glove, a pickup truck, a dog, the Empire State Building, a barn, a Diné (Navajo) blanket, a teddy bear, a lighthouse, a hamburger, a sailboat and horses.
Also being released is the American Icons-inspired 2026 U.S. Flag stamp. This stamp, too, features Lauren’s knit flag design but with the “1776” and “2026” text in red and without the “American Icons” title.
The dedication ceremony will take place at the James A. Farley Post Office Building in New York City.
The set of commemorative Forever stamps will be issued in panes of 13 and will be available starting June 9 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
The 2026 U.S. Flag stamp will be available in panes, booklets and coils at Post Offices and on usps.com.
Lauren’s brand, Ralph Lauren, also will debut a licensed limited fashion collection on June 9 to celebrate the stamps.
The collection will include an American flag sweater based on the 2026 U.S. Flag stamp as well as a polo shirt and a ball cap.
The items will be available at select Ralph Lauren stores and on the company’s website.
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DeChambeau named processing operations VP
He has filled the role on an acting basis since Jan. 1
The Postal Service has named Jason DeChambeau processing operations vice president, a role he has filled on an acting basis since Jan. 1.
DeChambeau and his team oversee the design, development, implementation and evaluation of policies, programs and standards for national mail processing operations.
Before becoming acting vice president in January, he served as acting senior director of processing operations in Chesapeake Division, where he managed 25 facilities that serve nearly 12 million delivery points.
He has also held positions as strategic planning and implementation senior director; processing operations director; senior plant manager at the Columbia, SC, and Greensboro, NC, processing and distribution centers; and distribution operations manager, among other roles.
DeChambeau has been with the Postal Service for more than 30 years, beginning as an industrial engineer in Duluth, MN.
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Milestones
Appointments, awards and retirements
Here’s a look at recent USPS leadership announcements
The Postal Service recently made the following managerial and supervisory announcements:
• Timothy N. Brust, labor relations manager, was named Central Area’s acting labor relations director.
• Ellen Spaulding was named Nashville, TN, Regional Processing and Distribution Center’s manager. She previously served as Indianapolis RPDC’s distribution operations senior manager.
• Ovanual “Vanne” L. Walker was named St. Louis Regional Processing and Distribution Center’s manager. He previously served as San Antonio Processing and Distribution Center’s distribution operations senior manager.
• Julie H. Weiser was named retail and delivery continuous improvement executive manager. She previously served as national performance initiatives executive manager.
The Postal Service recently recognized the following retirements:
• Judith A. Adams, enterprise technology services director, retired April 30 after more than 30 years of service.
• Jerry R. Fillman, South Jersey Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager, retired in January after more than 44 years of service.
• Rajeev K. Thampan, manager of the Operational Supplies and Mail Transport Equipment Category Management Center, retired April 30 after 19 years of service.
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Lower flags for fallen police officers on May 15
Peace Officers Memorial Day, which honors police officers who died in the line of duty, is Friday, May 15.
Postal Service facilities are required to fly the flag at half-staff. When the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff, all other flags must fly at half-staff, too.
To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist it to the peak of the flagpole for an instant and then lower it to the half-staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak again before it’s lowered for the day.
The USPS Administrative Support Manual has guidelines on U.S. flag display and maintenance.
May 20, 2026
Datebook
‘USPS Retirement Health Benefits, Medicare, Dental and Vision’
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn about the benefits available to Postal Service employees after retirement.
“USPS Retirement Health Benefits, Medicare, Dental and Vision” will be held Wednesday, May 20, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Aetna, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the webinar.
Participation is voluntary, but participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions should email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
May 20, 2026
Datebook
‘Emotional Eating and Stress’
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar focusing on how to identify triggers that can lead to overeating.
“Emotional Eating and Stress” will be held Wednesday, May 20, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the webinar.
Participation is voluntary, but participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions should email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
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What's included
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These stamps will show off American icons
The images for the set were chosen by designer Ralph Lauren
-
DeChambeau named processing operations VP
He has filled the role on an acting basis since Jan. 1
-
Milestones
Appointments, awards and retirements
Here’s a look at recent USPS leadership announcements
-
Brief
Lower flags for fallen police officers on May 15
-
May20Datebook
‘USPS Retirement Health Benefits, Medicare, Dental and Vision’
-
May20Datebook
‘Emotional Eating and Stress’