Stamps Keep History Alive

Reporter Jacques Von Lunen of Washington state's Tri-City Herald pens, "...postage stamps and the envelopes they are attached to offer surprising glimpses into foreign countries."

Writing about the Tri-Cities Stamp Club which held its annual show over the weekend, Von Lunen says, "And that is why many collectors like the stamps -- for the stories they keep alive."

He points out  the club successfully lobbied the U.S. Postal Service to create a special cancellation for the show. Celebrating the fact that 100 years ago, the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard started using airplanes, the cancellation shows an image of the local Pasco Naval Air Station control tower which is being considered for demolition.

Show organizer Lawrence Clay was the president of the Scouts On Stamps Society International, which has 800 members worldwide. He retired from the office, Von Lunen reports, but still collects and sells Scout-themed stamps.

Postal worker Jeanette Benders, ran a temporary post office at the show where people could buy the latest stamps. However, Benders is quoted as saying, when young kids who came to the stamp show with their grandparents stopped by and looked at the stamps, they'd say "Oh, cool -- stickers."

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