Dover Stamp Club hosts First Day Issue of Purple Heart forever stamp

The Dover Stamp Club held its annual show Oct. 11 and was honored to host the Purple Heart forever stamp First Day of Issue at the Camden-Wyoming Fire Hall. The last first day of issue stamp in Dover was the Constitution Ratification Bicentennial in 1987.

Chris Lazaroff, immediate past president, American First Day Cover Society, was the master of ceremonies. Due to the low ceiling in the fire hall, he moved the Presentation of Colors outside. It was an overcast day, but the rain held off until after the presentation and inspirational singing of the national anthem by Donya Ashley, a member of the Dover Post Office.

After returning inside, Melvin Nace from the Dover Stamp Club welcomed everybody to the show and ceremony, and thanked those who decided to have the First Day of Issue of the Purple Heart Stamp at the show.

Dover Postmaster LaShawn Jones expressed his welcome to the visitors and said how appreciative and honored the Dover Post Office was to be the host post office for the unveiling.

Ira Wexler, Purple Heart Stamp photographer, has photographed the Teddy Bear, Hanukkah, the prior Purple Heart Stamp and others for the U.S. Postal Service. The Purple Heart Medal that he worked 11 hours on to get it just right belonged to his wife's father.

Former U.S. Army member Joseph Startt Jr. was the special guest speaker. He was wounded twice in two separate operations in the Chu Chi Province and received two Purple Hearts. He explained the importance of the Purple Heart Medal and stressed his deep emotions whenever he sees or talks about it.

Master of Ceremonies Chris Lazaroff completed the ceremony, and a table was set up for the speakers to autograph the First Day of Issue Purple Heart Ceremony Program and any other items that were presented with a Purple Heart stamp on them.

The Dover Stamp Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew's Church. For more information, call Mel Nace, 302-674-0837.