4782-85 - 2013 First-Class Forever Stamp - A Flag for All Seasons

By A Mystery Man Writer

Last updated 14 May 2024

4782-85 - 2013 First-Class Forever Stamp - A Flag for All Seasons

Buying and Selling U.S. and worldwide postage stamps for stamp collectors.
U.S.%20%23%204782-85%0A2013%2046%26cent%3B%20A%20Flag%20for%20All%20Seasons%0A%26nbsp%3B%0AThe%20servicemen%20interred%20in%20the%20Tomb%20of%20the%20Unknown%20Soldier%20are%20%26ldquo%3BKnown%20But%20to%20God%2C%26rdquo%3B%20but%20they%20are%20every%20American%26rsquo%3Bs%20sons%20and%20brothers.%20In%20honor%20of%20their%20sacrifices%2C%20a%20perpetual%20guard%20and%20the%20United%20States%20flag%20have%20stood%20sentinel%20over%20them%20since%20July%202%2C%201937.%20Selected%20from%20the%20Army%26rsquo%3Bs%203rd%20Infantry%20Regiment%2C%20the%20tomb%20guards%20are%20an%20elite%20group%20who%20stand%20sentinel%20around%20the%20clock%2C%20regardless%20of%20weather%20conditions.%0A%26nbsp%3B%0AThe%20guards%20follow%20a%20meticulous%20routine%20that%20consists%20of%20marching%20down%20the%20length%20of%20a%20black%20mat%20behind%20the%20tomb.%20They%20then%20turn%20and%20face%20east%2C%20turn%20and%20face%20north%2C%20and%20return%20down%20the%20mat.%20After%20each%20turn%2C%20the%20guards%20perform%20a%20%26ldquo%3Bshoulder-arms%26rdquo%3B%20movement%20signifying%20their%20readiness%20to%20handle%20any%20threat.%0A%26nbsp%3B%0AThe%20guards%20are%20changed%20every%2030-120%20minutes%2C%20depending%20on%20the%20season%20and%20time%20of%20day%2C%20and%20the%20schedule%20does%20not%20change%20due%20to%20inclement%20weather.%20This%20dedication%20is%20incorporated%20into%20the%20Sentinel%26rsquo%3Bs%20Creed%3A%20%26ldquo%3BThrough%20the%20years%20of%20diligence%20and%20praise%20and%20the%20discomfort%20of%20the%20elements%2C%20I%20will%20walk%20my%20tour%20in%20humble%20reverence%20to%20the%20best%20of%20my%20ability.%26rdquo%3B%20During%20blizzards%2C%20hurricanes%2C%20and%20the%20quiet%20of%20a%20summer%26rsquo%3Bs%20night%2C%20the%20guards%20and%20the%20U.S.%20flag%20remain%20with%20the%20unknown%20soldiers%2C%20promising%20their%20sacrifices%20will%20never%20be%20forgotten%20by%20a%20grateful%20nation.%0A%0ALaura%20Stutzman%20of%20Maryland%20created%20the%20patriotic%20gouache%20illustrations%20from%20her%20own%20photographs%20for%20the%20Flag%20for%20All%20Seasons%20stamps.%26nbsp%3B%20Each%20of%20the%20four%20stamps%20in%20the%20issue%20pictures%20the%20U.S.%20flag%2C%20as%20seen%20from%20below%2C%20with%20the%20trees%20and%20sky%20representing%20the%20season.%26nbsp%3B%20%0A%0AValue%3A%2046%26cent%3B%201-ounce%20first-class%20letter%20rate%0AIssued%3A%26nbsp%3B%20May%2017%2C%202013%20%0AFirst%20Day%20City%3A%26nbsp%3B%20Rochester%2C%20NY%0AType%20of%20Stamp%3A%20Definitive%0APrinted%20by%3A%20Banknote%20Corporation%20of%20America%20for%20Sennett%20Security%20Products%0AMethod%3A%20Offset%20printing%20with%20Microprint%20%26ldquo%3BUSPS%26rdquo%3B%20in%20booklets%20of%2020%0APerforation%3A%20Serpentine%20Die%20Cut%2011%20%26frac14%3B%20X%2010%20%26frac34%3B%0ASelf-Adhesive%0AQuantity%20Printed%3A%201%20billion%20stamps%0A%0AThough%20America%26rsquo%3Bs%20flag%20had%20previously%20been%20used%20many%20times%20as%20a%20secondary%20design%20element%2C%20it%20wasn%26rsquo%3Bt%20the%20subject%20of%20a%20stamp%20until%201957%20(U.S.%20%231094).%26nbsp%3B%20Since%20the%201980s%2C%20it%20has%20become%20a%20regular%20practice%20to%20issue%20stamps%20picture%20the%20U.S.%20flag%20in%20a%20variety%20of%20scenes%2C%20including%20different%20locations%20and%20times%20of%20day.

From the heights of sunny summer to the snowy depths of winter, Old Glory proudly waves-thanks to laws and traditions that encourage respect for our