Memorial Day 2017
Issue date April 4, 2017
The letter card, cover and stamp – all of which are special and unique to Memorial Day – constitute the basis of a sensitive, original and extraordinary tradition that came into being following the War of Independence.
Since Memorial Day 1952, a long line of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Defense have signed personal letters to bereaved families of the fallen and Israel’s premier artists take part in designing the covers and stamps for this commemorative day. Thus, from year to year, an unprecedented tradition has formed which, over time, has become one of the most recognized and extraordinary ambassadors of Israel’s commemorative culture.
(From: “Dear Families” published by the Ministry of Defense, on the occasion of Israel’s 50th Anniversary)
The graphic design of the Memorial Day stamps has been expressed over the years symbolically and through monuments.
The National Memorial Hall
at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem
Dedication and sacrifice in defense of the State of Israel take an invaluable toll, which is the silver platter on which our independence and sovereignty were achieved.
On the eve of Memorial Day 2010, the government of Israel approved the establishment of a National Memorial Hall on the grounds of the military cemetery at Mount Herzl to commemorate Israel’s fallen soldiers (government meeting no. 147).
For the first time since the establishment of the State, the names of all of Israel’s fallen, who gave their lives to defend Israel at home and abroad, will be united in one place.
The Memorial Hall’s location at Mount Herzl – the pantheon of Israeli heroism, constitutes a continuation of the Zionist vision of revival and realization.
The torch-shaped Memorial Hall will be 18 meters high and feature a perpetual flame. The name and date of death for each of the fallen will appear on a plaque beside a memorial candle that will be lit on that date each year. A military cantor shall perform a memorial service every morning for soldiers who fell on that date.
The memorial plaques will be made out of tank steel and produced at the Merkava tank factory. Bereaved families, heads of state and the general public will be able to come to the Memorial Hall every day throughout the year.
National ceremonies will be conducted in the Memorial Hall center, including memorial wreaths marking the nation’s solidarity and appreciation of its fallen warriors.
The team planning the commemorative site includes Kimmel Eshkolot Architects in collaboration with Kalush Chechik Architects and curator Dr. Orit Shaham-Gover.
The project is managed by the Ministry of Defense’s Families and Commemoration Department, in collaboration with a steering committee of public figures and representatives of the bereaved families, commemoration experts and former IDF commanders.
A cornerstone laying ceremony for the Memorial Hall building was conducted on April 30, 2014, the eve of the Hebrew month of Eyar (“the month of heroism”). Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
Based on the Ministry of Defense Families and Commemoration Department website.
Images of the National Memorial Hall on the stamp and FDC — courtesy of Kimmel Eshkolot Architects.
On the 50th anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem, the State of Israel is marking the historic event that took place in June 1967 with a series of events in Israel and abroad.
Description of the Souvenir Sheet
The diplomatic relations between Israel and the Portuguese Republic developed in stages. An Israeli consulate was first opened in Lisbon in the late 1950’s. After the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in April 1974, this was upgraded to a general consulate and in 1977 to an embassy, the highest indication of full diplomatic relations. Since then the two countries have benefitted from friendly and collaborative relations in many fields.
During WWII, many Jews passed through Portugal, mostly immigrating to other countries and later also to Israel.
For her wide-ranging contributions to philately, 
All articles published in First Days, the AFDCS journal, are automatically considered. Others may be submitted to the Ward Award Committee chair, Mark Goodson, 202 W. Temperance Street, Ellettsville, IN 47429, bgdsn@comcast.net.
5173 Oscar de la Renta pane of 11
5174 (21¢) People Wearing Uncle Sam’s Hats
OTTAWA – On April 8, 2017, Canada Post will issue commemorative stamps to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an impressive victory in the First World War that was a coming-of-age moment for Canada.
At 5:30 a.m. on April 9, 1917, the first wave of soldiers in the nearly 100,000-strong Canadian Corps emerged from their muddy trenches. The Corps was ordered to seize a heavily fortified and strategic height of land, Vimy Ridge, in northern France. The ridge had been a virtually impregnable German-held position since early in the war and had withstood several previous assaults, at great cost to the Allies.
It was one of the most impressive Allied victories of the First World War – but it came at a heavy price. Nearly 3,600 Canadians were killed and more than 7,000 were wounded over four days of bitter fighting. The Canadian soldiers’ bravery, determination and skillful precision at Vimy earned Canada international accolades. To this day, the Battle of Vimy Ridge is considered by many to be one of the defining moments that helped to forge a proud, more independent identity for a nation that was still relatively young.
“The Battle of Vimy Ridge saw thousands of Canadians make the ultimate sacrifice and is the best-known chapter in our country’s proud First World War history,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “The valour of Canadians at Vimy a century ago is a poignant reminder of the enormous price paid so we can live in freedom.”
The sheer scale of the monument reflects Canada’s important contribution to Allied victory in the First World War. In the foreground of the stamp is a figure of a grieving man, one of the monument’s statues, symbolizing loss and grief. The ridge behind the monument on the stamp recalls the site of the battle itself.
the monument. They are a memorial to all the Canadians who died in France during the First World War and had no known grave at the time. Laurel sprigs surrounding the monument’s two towers on the stamp represent the victory and tragic loss of life. A maple leaf on one sprig represents Canada, while an oak leaf on the other represents France.
Canada Post and France’s La Poste unveiled stamps to honour the Canadian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada (left), was joined by Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post, to unveil the Canadian stamp. France’s stamp was unveiled by His Excellency Nicolas Chapuis, Ambassador of France to Canada, and Benoît Georges, representative of La Poste for the Americas. Photo by Denis Drever\Canada Post.
It measures 2.89″ x 1.31″.
On May 5, 2017, in Acton, MA, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the 3-cent Strawberries stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 760300). The stamp will go on sale nationwide May 5, 2017.
Item Number: 564500
It measures 2.97” x 1.23″.
On April 28, 2017, in San Francisco, CA, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Green Succulent Global Forever International rate stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 10 stamps (Item 564500). The stamp will go on sale nationwide April 28, 2017.
