HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—In honor of Gold Star families who lost a loved one while in military service, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal is introducing a bill that would bring new life to a discontinued post-World War II postal stamp.
The bipartisan bill would direct the U.S. Postmaster General to issue a Gold Star Families Forever Stamp as a way of commemorating the sacrifice of families of fallen service members.
Based off the discontinued Gold Star Mothers Stamp issued in 1948, the stamp would honor all Gold Star families and possibly have a new design, Blumenthal said.
According to Blumenthal, the sales of the new stamps would cover printing costs.
"It would be self-sustaining. The cost would be zero to taxpayers, but the benefits to our nation in reminding us about the sacrifice and service of Gold Star families would be priceless," he said.
President of the Connecticut Gold Star Mothers Helen Keiser-Pedersen supports the bill.
The creation of the Gold Star Families Forever Stamp sends an important message, she said, "that our children served, and we would like the recognition and the respect and the love from the country for our sacrifice."
Kathleen Cardona of South Windsor is a Gold Star wife who lost her husband when he was killed in Vietnam. She expressed gratitude toward Blumenthal for all that he does for military and Gold Star families.
"This is just another way that he had of saying to us, 'You matter. We care about you. You've been left here. You fought the battle as well, but you lost. You lost your spouses, your children, your parents, and we care,' and that means the world to us as Gold Star families," Cardona said.
Recreating the original Gold Star Mothers Stamp will reaffirm the nation's gratitude and commitment to Gold Star families, Blumenthal said.
The original 3 cent stamp can still be found as a collector's item.