USPS unveils new CNMI stamp

The unveiling of the new CNMI commemorative postage stamp as part of the Flags of Our Nation stamp series is a “great day” for the Commonwealth as it would help position the islands in both the U.S. and the global maps.

The new stamp, which depicts the CNMI flag with the islands’ impressive sandy beaches and rows of palm trees as its backdrop, was launched by the U.S. Postal Service in a special First Day of Sale Ceremony at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning.

Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota), U.S. Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan, and visiting USPS officials from Guam and Hawaii led the small number of community members that attended the special ceremony.

In his remarks, Sablan said the stamp represents the natural beauty of the islands and the integral components of the CNMI community. The use of these stamps, he said, will “help increase awareness of our islands among those who have yet to visit” and “serve as a fond reminder to those who have.”

“This stamp issuance is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to educating others—both in the United States and around the world—about our islands,” said Sablan.

Manglona, for his part, said the new CNMI stamp signifies “the pride of its people” and the Commonwealth’s relationship with the U.S.

USPS director for Asia-Pacific International Relations Leo B. Tudela said the new CNMI stamp was among the chosen proposal out of the thousands received by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to be included in the fifth set of the USPS Flags of Our Nation stamp series.

Tudela said the Flags of Our Nation stamps were designed by Tom Engeman, a Delaware artist who “reproduced as accurately as possible complex elements such as state seals and coats of arms.”

The fifth set is the first Flags of Our Nation set to be issued as Forever stamps, which always equal in value to the current First Class Mail one-ounce rate. The set also includes the flags of Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee.

“I think the CNMI should be very proud because this time, it’s going to be all over the world. When people buy this stamp, they look at this flag and it kind of tells people where we are, what we are… This will signify and be paramount that we’re U.S. and we’re very proud,” Tudela told reporters.

During the event, Tudela handed a framed enlarged copy of the new stamp and the rest of the stamps in the Flags of Our Nation fifth set to Sablan and Manglona.

Tudela was joined by USPS district manager Daryl A. Ishizaki, Sablan, and Manglona in unveiling the new stamp, which is the second dedicated CNMI postage stamp. The first one was issued on November 1993 and featured the Commonwealth flag, a female islander, and two latte stones.

Ishizaki, in an interview, said the dedication ceremony is “very special” to USPS as the Flags of Our Nation stamp series is a chance to celebrate its relationship with all the states, districts, and territories, helping put CNMI in the map as well.

“This gives us an opportunity to… share how important the Mariana Islands are to United States, that they’re connected with us in the USPS, that it’s part of our service territory,” he said.

Former Saipan Mayor Juan Tudela expressed appreciation to USPS officials who joined in the celebration of the new CNMI stamp. “For me, it’s a very happy and great day for the CNMI to have another Postal Service stamp.”

DFS Saipan Ltd. president and Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce emphasized that the new CNMI stamp is “a wonderful thing” that will bring more awareness about the islands and help its tourism industry.

“I think it’s another thing we can add, as something that’s our own now, a special recognition from the United States that we are part of the family,” she told Saipan Tribune. “Being part of the U.S. is something that our visitors see as a safe destination, so it’s a very good thing.”

Yesterday’s event marked the first day that the latest set of the Flags of Our Nation was made available for purchase in the CNMI and across the U.S. It also featured a special hand cancellation of the new CNMI stamp for free. Attendees were able to buy the set in strips of 10 for $4.40 and in coils of 50 for $22.