WASHINGTON – The Postal Service issued a new stamp Thursday honoring the country's oldest military decoration, the Purple Heart.
The stamp, valid for First-Class postage, shows an image of the medal hanging from the ribbon worn to display it.
The Purple Heart was created during the Revolutionary War by George Washington, and is awarded to members of the armed forces who have been killed or wounded in action. It is shaped like a heart and carries a profile of Washington.
The first stamp commemorating the Purple Heart went on sale in 2003 for 37 cents and it was later reissued at 39 cents and 41 cents. The new stamp is a redesign, adding the ribbon that was not shown on the earlier stamp. It will sell at the current 44-cent First-Class rate.
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