Tuesday, June 18, 2024
In the shadow of the presidents
U.S. Flags stamps dedicated during special event at Mount Rushmore
The Postal Service held a special dedication ceremony for its new U.S. Flags stamps on June 14, Flag Day.
The event was held at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.
“I can’t think of a better place to unveil these beautiful stamps,” said Lisse Garrett, the USPS Iowa-Nebraska-South Dakota District manager, who spoke at the ceremony.
Other participants included Michelle Wheatley, the memorial’s superintendent; Jay Bigalke, editor of Linn’s Stamp News; and Mark Inglett, strategic communications acting manager for the Postal Service’s Central Area.
The four stamps depict Old Glory majestically waving at different times of day. In each image, the sun is shining on the flag.
Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with illustrations by Laura Stutzman.
The U.S. Flags stamps are available in books of 20 and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000 at Post Offices and usps.com.
Juneteenth is this week
The newest federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery
USPS will observe Juneteenth National Independence Day, the country’s newest federal holiday, on Wednesday, June 19.
Juneteenth is the oldest known nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
The holiday gets its name from the date in 1865 when 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX, and declared enslaved persons there free by executive decree — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
Enforcement of the proclamation relied heavily on the presence of Union troops, and as the westernmost state in the Confederacy, Texas did not have a strong Union presence. This allowed slavery to retain its grip there long after emancipation was proclaimed.
The first Juneteenth observance took place in 1866, and as those who were formerly enslaved in Texas moved throughout the country, they brought the holiday with them.
Juneteenth was also the reason for the creation of Houston’s Emancipation Park. In 1872, four former slaves bought 10 acres of land in the city to commemorate the end of slavery. In its early years, the park was used only for Juneteenth celebrations.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture website has more information.
Easy gliders
USPS video explores reasons behind new Protect Sea Turtles stamps
The Postal Service has released a video on Protect Sea Turtles, new stamps that highlight six endangered species that forage in U.S. waters or nest on American beaches.
They are the loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, olive ridley and green sea turtle.
Steve Dearing, the Postal Service’s data and analytics vice president, is featured in the video, along with Donna Shaver, chief of sea turtle science and recovery for the National Park Service, and Jesse Gilbert, president and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium.
Dearing lists the ways people can help protect sea turtles and their habitats, including avoiding disposable plastics and keeping beaches clear of debris and minimizing lighting during nesting season.
June 25, 2024
Datebook
‘Food Labels Made Easy’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on understanding food labels, including natural, organic, non-GMO and fresh catch.
The session, “Food Labels Made Easy,” will be held Tuesday, June 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from GEHA, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
June 25, 2024
Datebook
‘Project Management Information Session’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on successfully and efficiently managing projects in the workplace.
The session, “Project Management Information Session,” will be held on Tuesday, June 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Carlow University will lead the webinar.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
National Postal Museum to host guest artist program
The National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, is hosting a guest artist program with stamp artist Katie Kirk.
From June through October, five free programs will allow participants to learn about the process of designing and illustrating U.S. postage stamps.
The sessions — a mix of virtual and in-person events — will be held Tuesday, June 18; Thursday, July 25; Thursday, Aug. 8; Saturday, Sept. 14; and Thursday, Oct. 3.
The museum’s website has more information.
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In the shadow of the presidents
U.S. Flags stamps dedicated during special event at Mount Rushmore
-
Juneteenth is this week
The newest federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery
-
Easy gliders
USPS video explores reasons behind new Protect Sea Turtles stamps
-
June25Datebook
‘Food Labels Made Easy’
-
June25Datebook
‘Project Management Information Session’
-
Brief
National Postal Museum to host guest artist program