95 Years Celebrated with the American Stamp

History was made Saturday, March 15th when American Legion Post 106 in Redlands celebrated their 94th anniversary in Redlands, and 95th overall. The amateur radio club, W6TAL, made radio contacts with other amateur radio stations across the country and the world during the celebration. Doug Macomber, who has been in the American Legion for 4 years and attended the mid-March event shares, "It was a nice event and it was definitely a 'happy birthday' moment." Macomber, who is a 22-year Grand Terrace resident, has served as the secretary of the American Legion Radio Club W6TAL since its inception 3 1/2 years ago. Mike Hayes, who has been the treasurer of the radio club since its inception, and was born in Redlands, shares "I think it was a lot of fun. I think what we wanted to do is raise community awareness for the club, and I think we did that. We get together and have a lot of fun. We connect with local places and around the world. We are an emergency network service, and that's really what's at the basis of all the fun that we have, being able to help in the case of an emergency." According to legion.org, The American Legion was formed in Paris, France and started a post in Redlands, one year later. The American Legion is an organization for veterans and those who have served during times of war. There are many services that American Legion provides to the community and members. They focus on services to veterans, service members and the communities surrounding them. There are summer programs within the organization that seek to educate people on ecology, and provide assistance to members of the legion in the case of emergencies. They also travel to Washington DC to lobby on the behalf of veterans to keep and obtain benefits for veterans. To help celebrate the 95th anniversary of the organization, the United States Post Office, which employs 105,000 veterans, approved a special pictorial postmark. According to the United States Postal Service, “A postmark is an official Postal Service™ imprint applied in black ink on the address side of a stamped mail piece. A postmark indicates the location and date the Postal Service accepted custody of a mail piece, and it cancels affixed postage.” The postmark for American Legion has an American flag, fireworks, and the name, “American Legion 95th Anniversary Station”. Radio club president for 2 years and American Legion member Roger Baty says, “The community development helps bring the postal service recognition for honoring the American Legion and getting visibility our for the tiny little radio club. I think it’s the best kept secret of the post office that you can create pictorial cancellations like this.” Baty, who refers to himself as a "pictorial postmark buff" continues, “there are two ways to obtain the pictorial postmark. Purchase the attractive cachet envelope or bring an envelope bearing a 1st class postage stamp to the Post Office and have that cancelled. This is a terrific opportunity for postmark enthusiasts and collectors of Redlands items.”