On May 16, 2025 the US Postal Service made available 18,000,000 Forever stamps to celebrate the Marine Corps. In the words of the USPS:
In 2025, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps and honors its service to the nation. First established during the Revolutionary War as the American colonies fought for independence, the Marine Corps is respected worldwide as an elite fighting force, prepared to face any challenge and prevail in the conflicts of the 21st century.
On November 10, 1775, shortly after creating the Continental Navy, the Second Continental Congress authorized the raising of the first two battalions of Marines to serve in the Revolutionary War. Prominent Philadelphia citizen Samuel Nicholas, commissioned as a captain, established a recruitment center at a local tavern and is today honored as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Continental Marines were disbanded after the war, but the U.S. Congress ordered the creation of a Marine Corps once again on July 11, 1798.
Deeply respectful of tradition while remaining highly adaptable and ready to serve, the Marine Corps has distinguished itself around the world for more than two centuries. Today more than 170,000 active-duty Marines in this elite fighting force remain committed to the nation and each other, as exemplified by their motto, Semper Fidelis: “Always Faithful.”
Our sincere gratitude to the Postal Service for the tribute and the stamps. For many of us veterans, mail call (by whatever stamp could get it there) was a much anticipated event. Sometimes that faithfully delivered letter or package from home with good news, a loving word or some home made cookies boosted one’s spirits to keep going just a little bit more.
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