Celebrating the 60th with commemorative postmark Published July 26, 2007 By Maj. Todd Copley 700th Airlift Squadron DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- On Sept. 18, the United States Postal Service and the 94th Airlift Wing will honor the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force with a Commemorative Pictorial Cancellation. A Pictorial Cancellation is a unique postmark offered by the U.S. Postal Service to commemorate special events. Items that are cancelled using a commemorative design are usually in very limited quantity and are highly sought after by stamp collectors and others interested in U.S. postal history. There are several ways to participate in this historic event. One option is to be present at the temporary philatelic, 60th Anniversary of the U.S.A.F. Station on Sept. 18 Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Once there, you can take advantage of the Hand-back service for the pictorial cancellation offered by the Marietta Postmaster on that day only, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the B-29 Memorial Air Park. The hand-back service is free of charge for quantities less than 50 items. The Postmaster will make available this unique pictorial cancellation on any material that bears un-canceled postage at the U.S. First-Class rate of 41 cents. These items do not require an address, as once cancelled, the item is immediately returned to the individual. Another way to participate is through the mail-back service offered by the Marietta Postmaster. This method permits Air Force enthusiasts to submit envelopes, postcards, photographs, posters and other materials through the mail directly to the Marietta Post Office for cancellations over a 30 day period, from Sept. 18 - Oct. 18. Mail-in requests should be addressed to the PICTORIAL POSTMARKS, 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE USAF STATION, 257 LAWRENCE STREET, MARIETTA, GA 30060-9998. Items submitted must also bear unused postage of at least the U.S. First- Class postage rate of 41 cents. Items must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope with applicable U.S. postage for the return of each item. If the item is an envelope or postcard and you wish for it to pass through the mail-stream, these individual items need to be addressed and must also bear unused U.S. postage of at least the First-Class rate, and sufficient postage to allow the item to be returned to you. Since this event is open to the public, parking will be very limited for the ceremony. We ask that all base personnel park at building 833 or building 827 and walk to the ceremony from there. The public may park at the Visitor's Center or the temporary parking lot set up at Lodging by base security. The 9:30 a.m. ceremony will include dedication of postmark by U.S.P.S. Marietta Postmaster John McCormack. Guest Speakers will be Chairman of the Board, Aviation Museum at Marietta, Bob Ormsby; B-24 Navigator, Hap Chandler and a Tuskegee Airman presentation by Master Sgt. Michael Varnardo.
