Release: MONDAY January 13, 2020
75 years ago right now, Germany was making one last desperate push to turn the tide of World War II in their favor. Their tactical hope was the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, Luxembourg and France. That winter of 1945, 450,000 German troops attacked over 610,000 well-supplied Allied forces. Of those, 21,000 US, English and Canadian troops were killed along with 16,000 Germans. The carnage from machine guns, grenades, artillery, tanks and aerial bombing was overwhelming.
I’ve previously mentioned that both my parents were in World War II. One spent the war in Wichita, Kansas. The other landed on Normandy shortly after D-Day. The irony is it was my mother who landed on Normandy. She was with the Red Cross. She drove a Clubmobile and served troops through France, Belgium and into Germany just behind the advancing US troops. She had the distinction of being the first woman to land on Normandy during the invasion....
Her exploits were chronicled in the book, “Battlestars & Doughnuts.” The title was a result of the fact that she and the other Red Cross Clubmobile ladies followed the troops offering them doughnuts, coffee and cigarettes while playing music and talking with them in the field.
The stories of fighting – much of which she saw firsthand – were about as bad as it gets. The war didn’t spare anyone who lived through it. Evidently, the top brass realized an understanding smile and sympathetic ear from the Red Cross women were immensely therapeutic. Listening and talking right there on the lines meant a great deal. That’s especially understandable considering the endless death and destruction around all of them.
My mother didn’t talk much about her experiences until decades after the war. After all, she saw much of the killing also. It was her stories that were the basis for the book. There’s little doubt the troops were experiencing what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
It wasn’t until 1980 that the American Psychiatric Association coined that phrase. Prior, it might have been called “shell shock” or “battle fatigue.” Naturally, analysts now know it isn’t relegated strictly to military experiences. PTSD is now seen in the lives of first responders as well as those who have dealt with rape, physical assault or other trauma. It’s estimated that up to eight people in 100 will at some time experience PTSD. That’s a lot.
Over the years, countless stamps around the world have been issued honoring fighting forces and brave heroes. Some have been used as propaganda to boost morale of the general public during times of war. Until now, almost none were created to address the aftermath.
Last month, the US Postal Service issued the first stamp focusing on PTSD. Most impressive is the thought behind the design. This is one of the most compelling and introspective stamps issued in a long time.
The new stamp features a photo-illustrated image of a bright green plant sprouting from the ground covered by brown, decaying fallen leaves. The symbolization is clear – hope springs eternal as does new life, the result of the PTSD healing process. It’s a refreshing departure from much of the literal depictions on traditional postage stamps.
Equally compelling is the type of stamp. The small “+” sign at the bottom indicates it is a semi-postal variety. Semi-postals are valid for regular First Class postage but carry a surcharge. The extra monies collected are allocated to a particular purpose.
Countries in Europe were prolific in issuing semi-postal stamps during World War II. Those extra funds helped pay for the war effort. A number of those stamps have become valuable after hobbyists sought them out for their collections.
In modern times, the US has issued a few semi-postals. They have helped benefit breast cancer treatment; Alzheimer’s research; the Heroes of 2001; and vanishing animal species. On those heels now comes the PTSD issue. It costs 65-cents and is usable for the 55-cent First Class rate. The extra 10-cents collected will be donated to PTSD programs.
Do semi-postal stamps work? The Breast Cancer semi-postal stamps have raised $79 million for research. Hope does spring eternal.