On the week of 9-11, the U.S. Post Office chose Missoula, Montana the home of the Smokejumpers Center as the one place in America to introduce a new stamp honoring first responders.

Chief Postal Inspector of the United States Guy Cottrell was in Missoula on Thursday to officially introduce the special designed stamp.

“To create a stamp is a very complicated process,” said Cottrell. “People have been asking for many years for us to create a stamp to honor first responders, so we’re very, very happy to be here in Missoula, home of the Smokejumper Center to be able to honor firefighters, EMT’s and police officers on this beautiful stamp.”

Cottrell described the stamp’s design.

“The design represents each of the three units, so we have a red firefighter, a gray emergency medical technician and a blue police officer. We contracted an artist and a lot of work went into getting the stamp to look just right. We only dedicate about 20 to 30 stamps per year, but we get over 30,000 requests for new stamp designs every year, so this is indeed a very special day to honor our first responders.”

Montana’s ‘top cop’, Attorney General Tim Fox was also on hand, along with Missoula Police, Sheriff’s Officers, Fire Department and EMT’s to gather on stage as a representation honoring the creation of the new stamp.

“With the anniversary of 9-11 we are celebrating our first responders across Montana and across the country,” said Fox. “It’s pretty unique to be able to celebrate a first issue stamp from the U.S. Postal Service that honors our first responders and I’m really pleased to be here to do that. I love to rub shoulders with our first responders because they do such a great job.”

 

 

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