At the White House this morning, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden unveiled a ‘Forever Stamp’ as a tribute by the Unites States Postal Service to former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Based on a portrait created in 1987 by the famed artist Aaron Shikler, the stamp’s design personifies the style of the White House when President Ronald Reagan and Nancy lived on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave (1981-1989). Posing in a signature Reagan-Red gown, the image of the First Lady is complemented by a five strand chocker of pearls banded in diamonds with pearl and diamond cluster earrings.
The original, full-length, oil-on-canvas painting of Mrs. Reagan is on display on the first floor of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Like the portraits Shikler painted of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacquline Kennedy in 1970, the paintings are part of the White House Collection and While House Historical Association.
This morning’s White House ceremony included Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Nancy Reagan’s favorite niece, Anne Peterson, and Fred Ryan, chair of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love were principles of First Lady Nancy Reagan” said Fred Ryan.’ Warmth, wit and a sense of style defined her personality.’
Mr.Ryan remembered Mrs. Reagan as a crucial confidante and essential partner, devoted to her husband Ron, the 40th President of the United States. She was also a champion of the Forster Grandparents campaign, a patron of the Arts and committed to restoring the White House to a place of elegance and beauty. He said, First Lady Nancy Reagan spoke bravely about her breast cancer diagnosis and radical mastectomy, using her health concerns to raise awareness of the disease. In later years, she was a strong supporter of Alzheimers research, an affliction that plagued President Reagan after his term.
Favorite niece of Mrs. Reagan, Anne Peterson, recalled sharing happy times in the White House saying ‘as First Lady, Nancy was fiercely loyal to her husband and Country.’ Knowing she was a temporary guest of the White House it was her honor to care for the Nation’s house.’ Mrs. Peterson said she felt humbled 40 years ago, and today, to have a front row seat on American history.
When Dr. Biden spoke she declared,”This stamp is beautiful!” Then continued to say, “Nothing prepares you to be First Lady, each day is a blessing to serve the American people with this incredible platform. Nancy Reagan served with grace. Aware of the inherent pitfalls and inevitable scrutiny, she relied on humanity knowing the great potential of this role.”
Next month, Nancy Reagan would have turned 101. Dr. Biden said the ‘Forever’ stamp affirms the difference she made. “We all change the world in big and small ways. We need both to bring communities together. We never know what a person needs. We should reach across divides to find common ground that’s the foundation of our future. The more kindness we give the more the reflection on us. Draw closer to each other despite our differences,”
A dedication ceremony of the Nancy Reagan stamp will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California on July 6th. That occasion will mark what would have been Mrs. Reagan’s 101st birthday. “Through our stamp program, the Postal Service seeks to commemorate and celebrate the very best of America, and Nancy Reagan truly represents that ideal, ” said Postmaster General DeJoy.
Nancy Reagan was passionate about America. Today’s honor by the USPS at the White House ‘Forever” documents her remarkable page of American history and our shared culture.
Forever Stamps are available for 58 cents each at Postal offices national wide or on-line at the Postal Store. www.store.usps.com
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