The newly issued USS Arizona Memorial postage stamp made its debut yesterday by the U.S. Postal Service in a ceremony held at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. State Representative Mark Takai led local efforts to honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation with the USS Arizona Memorial Commemorative Stamp serving as symbol of their sacrifice for our freedom as Americans.
The First Day of Issue dedication was held at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, followed by a special wreath laying presentation made onboard the USS Arizona Memorial by Navy Rear Admiral Richard Williams, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Superintendent Paul DePrey, Takai, U.S. Postal Service Vice President of Information Technology John Edgar, Honolulu District Manager Greg Wolny, and Pearl Harbor Survivors.
“I am especially pleased because after years of working with the persistent champion of this cause, Representative Mark Takai, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee and the U.S. Postal Service, we are here today to bestow this honor on the USS Arizona Memorial,” former United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka stated during the ceremony today officially dedicating the new stamp.
“In 2005, nearly 10 years ago, my office led the initiative to urge the U.S. Postal Service and Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to support a proposal to create a commemorative stamp of the USS Arizona Memorial,” State Representative Mark Takai (D-Aiea) said. “Today represents the culmination of hundreds of hours of work and it recognizes the tragedy, triumph, and heroism of this land,” Rep. Takai added.
In the past, the U.S. Postal Service has issued a number of stamps related to Hawaii. The issuance of the USS Arizona Memorial postage stamp serves a special purpose in our history, here in Hawaii, and our nation, as it recognizes the historic Pearl Harbor war site and the thousands of lives lost on December 7, 1941.
“Today we come together to remember the Americans that lost their lives in one of the deadliest attacks on our country and to honor the shrine that was created in their memory,” said U.S. Postal Service Vice President Edgar.
“We are very fortunate to be able to share this day with our living monuments; those brave warriors who survived the attack; … they had the resilience, the determination, and the resolve to turn the tide of despair to rebuild our fleet and our base and lead us to victory,” remarked Rear Admiral Williams.
“This stamp will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that were made on December 7, 1941,” World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Superintendent DePrey explained. “It will provide a way for those who cannot come to Pearl Harbor to honor and commemorate the Arizona’s crew."
“Now, millions of children and adults world-wide, many, who will never set foot here, will collect this Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial stamp. And will learn about Pearl Harbor. And about Hawaii,” Takai added.
Photo courtesy of State Repreaentative Mark Takai
Arizona Memorial Stamp Signing (from left to right): Pacific Historic Parks President Gene Caliwag,
former U.S. States Senator Daniel K. Akaka, and State Representative Mark Takai.
Photo courtesy of Representative Mark Takai
Arizona Memorial Wreath (from left to right): U.S. Postal Service Honolulu District Manager Greg Wolny, State
Representative Mark Takai, U.S. Postal Service Vice President of Information Technology John Edgar, World
War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Superintendent Paul DePrey, and Rear Admiral Richard Williams.
Photo courtesy of Representative Mark Takai
Arizona Stamp Debut (from left to right): U.S. Postal Service Vice President of Information
Technology John Edgar, Rear Admiral Richard Williams, former U.S. States Senator Daniel K. Akaka,
State Representative Mark Takai, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Superintendent
Paul DePrey and U.S. Postal Service Honolulu District Manager Greg Wolny.