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                         May 24, 2002

Special stamp cancellation planned for graduation day

By Kathy Eastwood
Staff Writer

Jay Joyce, a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and parent of two USMA cadets including one in the Class of 2002, came up with an idea for a special stamp cancellation to commemorate the Bicentennial Graduation Class. Joyce is an avid stamp collector and designed the cancellation stamp for Graduation Day 2002 as a gift for the graduates.

"I came up with the general idea for the cancellation using the USMA 2002 Class Crest, along with some simple wording," Joyce said.

He collaborated with Postmaster Bob Maruschak here, who received USPS approval for this one-day-only commemorative stamp cancellation in honor of the Bicentennial Graduation.

"This is a great opportunity for obtaining a special postmark for Graduation Announcements and postcards that will be unique for the Bicentennial Class." Joyce said.

The Postmaster has provided the following guidelines for obtaining the cancellation:

The West Point post office window hours are daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding Memorial Day) and Saturday 9 a.m. until noon.

Items to be cancelled can be left at the post office window prior to graduation (June 1st). These items must contain first class postage, and will be cancelled and mailed on June 1. If you want them mailed un-addressed, you must provide an outer envelope or other packaging, with address and postage pre-affixed.

Items can be sent via mail to the post office prior to graduation under the same rules as above. These items should be mailed to: Postmaster, 634 Swift Rd., West Point, NY 10996. In the lower left corner of the outer envelope include the words "Attn: Graduation Cancellation."

Postal officials emphasized this is a one-day-only event.

"No materials will be cancelled and returned prior to Graduation Day or afterward," officials explained. "That would jeopardize our ability to plan similar cancellations for future graduations."

Those taking advantage of mailing pre-addressed items should bear in mind the size of the cancellation, plus the postage stamp, and avoid addressing the item where the cancellation will be placed.