YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea Aca,!" A postmark honoring the 8th United States Army's 65 years of service was unveiled June 10, at the main post office here.
Before stamping the first postmark during the ceremony, 8th U.S. Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Joseph Fil Jr. thanked everyone involved with creating the collectorAca,!a,,cs item.
"On the 65th anniversary of our activation, I have the distinct privilege of helping to introduce a commemorative postmark, created to honor all the Soldiers that have served and sacrificed in 8th Army," said Fil. "Since stamp and postmark collecting is still very popular, we anticipate that the 8th Army postmark will be in high demand."
The commanding general said the commemorative postmark was designed to honor the legacy the 8th U.S. Army has built since its creation during the height of World War II.
"On June 10, 1944, the 8th U.S. Army was activated in the United States," Fil said.
"It was subsequently sent to the Pacific theater, where it made more than 60 island-hopping amphibious assaults and assisted in the liberation of the Philippines. After the war, it stayed in the Pacific as the headquarters for U.S. occupation forces in Japan."
"A few short years later, 8th Army was again called into combat, this time in Korea. Casualties during both wars were high, but the 8th U.S. Army was ultimately victorious," he said. "We continue to defend freedom alongside our great allies here in Korea."
According to Phil Weaver, 8th U.S. Army Director of Postal Operations, it took about a month to get the special postmark approved by the U.S. Postal Service.
Weaver, originally from Stockton, Calif., initiated the request for the postmark.
Aca,!A"I thought the pictorial postmark would a great way to help us as a community celebrate this historic date,Aca,!A? said Weaver.
The 8th U.S. Army postmark, which will be advertised worldwide, can be obtained at the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan main post office until July 10, 2009.
To get a postmark by mail before July 10, affix stamps to an envelope or postcard, address it to yourself or another person, insert a card of postcard thickness in the envelope for sturdiness and tuck in the flap. Place it in a larger envelope and address it to: Pictorial Post-marks, Postmaster, Yongsan Main Post Office, APO AP 96205-9998.
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