Boy Becomes Swiss Gaurd Because of Postage Stamp

The Catholic News Service reports, "One young man’s dream of becoming a Swiss Guard began with a postage stamp."

Michael Odermatt is quoted in the article that "when he was a small child, his godfather gave him a stamp depicting the ornately dressed papal soldier and I was fascinated by that image and wanted to know everything about the Swiss Guard.” 

According to Wikipedia, "Only unmarried Swiss males of the Catholic faith - historically, mainly from the four original Swiss cantons (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, Luzern) and Valais - are eligible for service. Moreover, they must all be between 19 and 30 years of age, at least 174 cm tall and must have fulfilled their basic military training in the Swiss Army." 

Shown above, 2005 Swiss stamp showing members of the Swiss Guard. 

To read the entire article, click here.