Chanting “We Want a Stamp,” about 100 members of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America converged on U.S. Postal Service’s headquarters here in a last-ditch effort to lobby for a commemorative stamp honoring the group’s centennial next year.
Men and women veterans from across the country and from every branch of the military joined with their relatives to stage last Friday’s demonstration, which coincided with JWV’s national conference.
Braving cold temperatures, the demonstrators carried signs and the American flag and sported JWV hats adorned with various pins and patches. Many of the veterans served in World War II; other fought in Korea, Vietnam or the Gulf War.
The JWV has been lobbying for a commemorative stamp for several years. The group has garnered congressional support, but the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee, the panel that decides which stamps to issue, has consistently blocked the effort.
The committee contends that the JWV is a religious group, and issuing a commemorative stamp would go against its policy of adhering to the separation of church and state, Robin Wright, a Postal Service spokesman, said in an interview.
Wright said that Postal Service understands the veterans’ disappointment in having their request denied.
Wright acknowledged the “courageous contributions” that JWV members have made, but said the stamp committee believes it would be more appropriate to issue a stamp honoring all veterans.
The committee chooses which stamps to issue based on applications from various groups. Despite the rebuff, JWV members vowed to continue their fight.
“Marilyn [Monroe] and Elvis [Presley] Mean Exploitation. JWV Means Dedication to America. We Deserve a Stamp,” read one protester’s sign, referring to two recent stamps issued by the Postal Service.
Another sign depicted a sketch of the stamp proposed by JWV, an American flag with the JWV logo and the dates 1896-1996.
“Mr. Runyon, where are you?” shouted one protester, referring to Postmaster General Marvin Runyon. At one point, demonstrators recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
For some, the rally was a finally affair, Sheri Galvan drove down from Baltimore to join her parents, Sam and Barbara Greenberg, in the effort. She also brought the youngest protester in the crowd, her 19 month old son, Cody.
Echoing the sentiments of many of the demonstrators, Sam Greenberg of Pennsylvania, a past national president of JWV, said the when the Postal Service deems fit to grant stamps to other groups, “I think we, who have sacrificed for 100 years, deserve a stamp.”
The rally drew considerable attention from outside the Jewish community. Representatives from the office of District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry and Jim Clark, executive director of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association, attended the demonstration to lend their support.
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