WASHINGTON, D.C. – In part of honoring America’s 250th anniversary, Ukraine’s postal service is releasing stamps that honor our independence. We’re told they’re the only country to do something like this that celebrates our independence.
Giving her stamp of approval, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US announced the issuance of new stamps that honor America’s anniversary of independence.
“The stamp will be part of the collection of Ukraine’s contribution to the 250th anniversary but it will be added to the international collection of the US Postal Museum,” said Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna.
These stamps will be used by Ukraine’s postal service, Urkposhta. The new stamp has the number 250 with the word “freedom” wrapped around it in both America’s and Ukraine’s colors.
“The first thing you see in the image and how it weaves those two countries together with the 250,” said Elliot Gruber, director of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. “I think is remarkable and its in total keeping of what Ukraine’s Ukrposhta has been doing in the last four years because the design and creativity and how fast they can distribute these stamps has been nothing short of remarkable.”
Speakers at the event said Ukraine’s postal service has suffered damages from Russian attacks to standing branches. They’ve had to adapt in delivering and obtaining mail by creating mobile units but they keep their duty in delivering mail, even to the front lines. Their postal service operations continue to carry on, despite the hardships, just like the Ukrainians as the war continues.
“When people see the stamps, they see the validation of the Ukrainian identity,” said Richard Kurin, Smithsonian distinguished scholar and ambassador-at-large. “That sense of who we are, what we’re fighting for.”
The artist of the stamp said 250 years after America’s fight for freedom and independence, Ukraine is fighting for their own independence.
“We recognize the significance of this,” said Kurin. “It resonates with the American experience so deeply.”
If you’re a stamp collector and you want these stamps, we’re told Ukraine’s postal service will put them up for sale online soon.
