BSA Centennial Stamp

The U.S. Postal Service today gave scouting ‘a stamp of approval’ to honor 100 years of the U.S. scouting movement. The Celebrate Scouting stamp, which will be sold in the summer of 2010, coincides with the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary.

The new stamp design was unveiled Thursday during an event at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. The design, created by illustrator Craig Frazier of Mill Valley, CA, depicts the spirit and outdoor adventure of scouting through a backpacking scout and a large silhouette of a scout surveying the landscape.

Since the creation of the international youth scouting movement some 100 years ago, hundreds of millions of children have benefited from opportunities for adventure, skill building, leadership, personal development, and community service provided by scouting organizations.

“I’m very proud to represent the United States Postal Service as we unveil the artwork for the scouting commemorative stamp to be released in 2010 and to recognize what scouting has done for boys and girls alike for more than 100 years,” said USPS Sustainability Vice President, Samuel M. Pulcrano. “I learned a great many things from scouting when I was a boy, and many of those lessons came from my father who served as my assistant scoutmaster. The experience made such an impression on me that I now serve as assistant scoutmaster for my sons’ troop.”

Joining Pulcrano at the unveiling event were Allen Kane, Director of Smithsonian National Postal Museum; Jim Terry, Boy Scouts of America Assistant Chief Scout Executive; Bob Mersereau, Boy Scouts of America National Director of the 100th Anniversary; Kevin Coleman, Manager, Information Policies and Procedures, USPS; Sen. Dick Lugar, R-IN; and Ernest Green, member of 1957 Little Rock Nine, who helped integrate the nation’s public school system, and Honorary Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America National Hall of Leadership. Green was one of nine African-American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, AR. He was the first black to graduate from the school.

The Postal Service appreciates the efforts of a number of individuals, including Rep. Pete Sessions, R-TX, Sen. Dick Lugar, R-IN, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-MO., and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., in working toward creation of the Celebrate Scouting stamp and their leadership on scouting.

In conjunction with the Celebrate Scouting announcement and Veteran’s Day observances, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced it will begin a nationwide effort to support U.S. Armed Forces personnel serving overseas and veterans by sending letters and care packages using the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box through the Postal Service. Local DC-area scouts mailed letters and shared news about the scouting stamp from the museum this morning. The letter writing campaign continues the BSA’s longstanding tradition of service and performing “a good turn” daily.

“We are grateful to the USPS for commemorating scouting’s contributions to our nation for the past 100 years,” said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America. “To continue our tradition of service, we are honored to launch our letter writing campaign to support our troops serving overseas. Regardless of our age, we never outgrow the joy of receiving a personal letter in the mail. It is the least we can do for the service men and women to whom we owe the deepest gratitude for their service.”

The new Celebrate Scouting stamps will go on sale nationwide and will be dedicated in July 2010 at the Boy Scout Jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill, VA.