‘Patriotic’ stamp would support vets

WASHINGTON – During World War II, Americans of all ages shelled out dimes and dollars for the war effort.

As Memorial Day approaches, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has sought to fire up that patriotic spirit with the Victory for Veterans Stamp Act. The act would provide for the sale of a 21-cent stamp to generate money for veterans programs, paying down the national debt and propping up the U.S. Postal Service.

The stamp could not be used for postage, even though it would be offered for sale by the Postal Service. Rep. John B. Larson, D-Conn., the bill’s chief sponsor, said the stamp would be a way for Americans to show their patriotism and support for the troops.

“Over a decade after 9/11, we know that the people of this country still possess a deep reservoir of patriotism and a collective desire to solve our greatest challenges,” Larson said in a letter to colleagues seeking their support for the measure. “They just need to be asked.”

Larson came up with the idea for the stamp while going through letters his parents sent to each other during World War II.

Over the years, Congress has authorized various semipostal stamps, which sell for more than their face value to raise money for causes. Most well-known may be the now-55-cent breast cancer stamp, authorized in 1997, which has generated more than $75 million for breast cancer research.