FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            RELEASE NO. 66-09

PICTORIAL STATION POSTMARK COMMEMORATES ASTRONAUT– July 16, 2009

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Postal Service is offering a special pictorial Buzz Aldrin, U.S. Military Academy Class of 1951, Station Postmark at the West Point Post Office starting July 20, 2009.  The postmark commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo XI First Men on the Moon mission.

Aldrin has also appeared on foreign stamps, as had fellow astronaut Frank Borman, Class of 1950.

They are just two of the 18 West Point graduates who have gone on to become astronauts, including Col. Timothy L. Kopra, Class of 1985, who launched into space July 15 with the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

Those who can’t get to the Post Office, but who wish to obtain the pictorial postmark, may submit a mail order request before August 19.

Pictorial postmarks are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage.

Items submitted for postmark may not include postage issued after the date of the requested postmark. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a postmark should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness and tuck in the flap.

Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to:

PICTORIAL POSTMARK
Buzz Aldrin Station Postmark
Postmaster

About West Point
West Point, The U.S. Military Academy, is a four-year co-educational federal undergraduate liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. The world's preeminent leader development institution, it was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering. Its mission remains constant-to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu