Postmark honors Air Force's 60th birthday

  • Published
  • By Maj. Todd Copley
  • 700th Airlift Squadron
The U.S. Postal Service and the 94th Airlift Wing will honor the Air Force's 60th anniversary with a commemorative pictorial cancellation here Sept. 18.

These kinds of postmarks are unique and commemorate a special event, which are rare and often sought after by stamp collectors and others interested in U.S. postal history.

People can participate in this historic event in person or by mail.

The Marietta, Ga., postmaster is offering hand-back service for the pictorial cancellation on Sept. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the B-29 Memorial Air Park at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. This service is free for quantities of less than 50 items.

The postmaster will affix this unique pictorial cancellation on any material that bears uncanceled postage at the U.S. first-class rate of 41 cents. These items do not need to be addressed because once cancelled, they are immediately returned to the person who submits them.

A mail-back service permits Air Force enthusiasts to submit envelopes, postcards, photographs, posters and other materials through the mail directly to the Marietta Post Office for cancellations from Sept. 18 to Oct. 18.

Mail-in requests should be addressed to: Pictorial Postmarks, 60th Anniversary of the USAF Station, 257 Lawrence Street, Marietta, Ga. 30060-9998.

Items submitted must bear unused postage of at least the U.S. first-class postage rate of 41 cents. Submitters must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with applicable U.S. postage for the return of each item.

If the item is an envelope or postcard and the submitter wants it to pass through the mail-stream, these individual items need to be addressed and must also bear unused U.S. postage of at least the first-class rate, and sufficient postage to allow the item to be returned to the person.