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Where the Hearts are

USPS dedicates stamp in Puerto Rico

Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez address the audience
Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, a graphic novelist whose work includes the superhero series “La Borinqueña,” addresses the audience at the Jan. 10 Hearts Blossom stamp dedication ceremony.

The Postal Service showed its love for Puerto Rico during a ceremony this week for the first stamp release of 2019.

The organization dedicated Hearts Blossom, this year’s Love stamp, at an event that brought together Puerto Rico officials, USPS leaders and postal employees and customers.

“It’s fitting that we’re in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a special place that has weathered some tough storms — literally tough storms — and is deserving of some love,” said Robert Cintron, the Postal Service’s network operations vice president, who led the ceremony.

He discussed the organization’s efforts to restore mail delivery as quickly as possible after Irma and Maria, back-to-back hurricanes that struck the Caribbean in 2017.

“We know the island is still rebuilding. We know there is still much to do, and it’s wonderful to witness the progress and experience the spirit of renewal firsthand,” Cintron said.

Another guest speaker, graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, said the sentiment represented by the new stamp is reflected by the spirit of Puerto Ricans.

“Our love is only matched by our resilience. Hurricanes will come and go, and we will write stories about it, and we will rebuild. We will rise up,” he said.

Hearts Blossom features the word “Love” in cursive script below 12 colorful hearts. The color palette includes red, pink, purple and orange.

The stamps are available at Post Offices across the United States and usps.com.

The Love stamps originated in 1973. Although USPS releases the stamp early each year, it isn’t just for Valentine’s Day and can also be used for birthday cards, wedding invitations, birth announcements and other mailings.

Said Cintron: “These stamps can be used year-round because love never goes out of season.”

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