USPS to salute first responders at stamp ceremony Nov. 15
The United States Postal Service will recognize Palm Beach State College’s Public Safety programs during a special dedication ceremony Nov. 15 for its recently issued Forever stamp, “Honoring First Responders.” The College trains the most first responders in Palm Beach County.
The ceremony, which takes place at 2 p.m. in the Public Safety Conference Center on the Lake Worth campus, also will pay tribute to the College’s partner county agencies in law enforcement, corrections, emergency medical services and fire rescue. The event is free and open to the public.
Kelley Dunn, anchor and reporter at WPTV News Channel 5, will emcee, and leaders from the USPS, county public safety agencies and the College will participate. The Presentation of Colors will be performed by a color guard of Palm Beach County firefighters and law enforcement officers, and the national anthem will be sung by Communicator III Stacy Boddie of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
During the ceremony, USPS West Palm Beach Postmaster Ernie Onody and Inspector in Charge Antonio J. Gomez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, will present the College with framed enlargements of the stamp. A large version will be hung in the Public Safety Conference Center, while three smaller versions will be given to each of the Public Safety programs at the College that train first responders: the Criminal Justice Institute, Emergency Medical Services, and the Firefighter Academy.
“We are very honored that the Post Office would select us as a venue and recognize our contributions in training first responders,” said Barbara Cipriano, associate dean for PBSC’s Public Safety programs. “We’re also excited to hang the stamp in our program labs as well as the Public Safety Conference Center, where it will be seen not only by our students but also by the community at large, as many frequent the facility for conferences and meetings.”
With this stamp, the U.S. Postal Service recognizes the men and women who respond to critical situations with skill, dedication and uncommon bravery.
The digital illustration on this stamp is a symbolic scene that shows three first responders in profile as they race into action. First is a firefighter carrying an ax, second is an EMS worker with an emergency bag, and third is a law enforcement officer shining a flashlight. The dark background and signs of smoke around the figures suggest the wide range of situations that demand the immediate attention of a first responder.
Artist Brian Stauffer worked with art director and designer Antonia Alcalá and designer Ricky Altizer to create this stamp. The stamp was issued on Sept. 13; for more details, read the USPS press release.
USPS will have the stamp and collector’s items available for sale at the event. As the USPS receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, it relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operation. Proceeds will not benefit the College.
