Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset) recently applauded a decision by the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative Purple Heart Stamp.

"This is wonderful news. The success of this effort was due to the overwhelming support that our local communities put forth, as we campaigned to create this official postage stamp," said Senator Marcellino. "The creation of the Purple Heart Stamp will be a fitting tribute to the veterans of this country both living and deceased; men and women whose service and sacrifice have rightly earned the respect and gratitude of our country. I am especially happy that we will be able to honor the memory of the one thousand World War II veterans we lose every day in this country. I wish to thank those who took the time to write to the Stamp Development Committee on behalf of our veterans."

The campaign for the Purple Heart stamp began in November 2000, when the Senate worked with veterans from the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other organizations to initiate a massive letter-writing campaign calling for the issuance of the stamp. Since then, tens of thousands of letters have been sent to Dr. Virginia Noelke and the Stamp Advisory Committee.

In addition to the letter writing campaign, the Senator Marcellino created a special section on his web site (www.senatormarcellino.com) early in 2001 to advocate for and educate the public about the fight for a Purple Heart Stamp. Thousands of letters were forwarded through the Senator's website calling for the new stamp.

The Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit, more commonly called "The Purple Heart," is an American decoration, the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier. It was created by General George Washington, one of the worlds most famed and best-loved heroes, on August 7, 1782.

The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is unquestionably a combat decoration. This distinction has been bestowed on 1.8 million veterans. The issuance of an official US Purple Heart Medal postage stamp will serve as a tribute for the great sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.