USPS honors the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a new commemorative stamp

The stamp is a nondenominated 3-ounce stamp, like a Forever stamp, that is always valid for the rate printed on it.

The U.S. Postal Service dedicated a new stamp on Saturday celebrating the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The USPS said the 12 million USCG Academy stamps printed continue the long-standing tradition of honoring the nation's premier military service institutions and academies.

The stamp celebrates all the cadets whose dedication embodies the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus (Always Ready).

“U.S. postage stamps celebrate the very best of America, and we are proud to feature the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on millions of letters that will be sent across the country,” said Marc McCrery, USPS customer experience vice president and dedicating official. “I hope this stamp will serve as a reminder of how the cadets who graduate from the academy will serve with bravery and excellence and follow the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus — Always Ready.”

According to the USPS, "the stamp art features photographs of the USCGC Eagle, the Coast Guard Academy’s primary training vessel since 1946, and USCGC Bertholf, a Legend-class national security cutter whose missions include maritime drug interdiction and securing the maritime border. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed this stamp."

The two photos were taken by Coast Guardsmen. The Eagle photo was taken by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Thieme and the Bertholf photo was taken by Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Strohmaier.

The stamp was dedicated on Saturday during a ceremony at the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival in New London, Connecticut.