SYD KRONISH | Stamps 'In Memoriam' of U.N. officials lost in Iraq

"Fallen In The Cause Of Peace."
These poignant words echo from the halls of the United Nations headquarters in New York for its own heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in Iraq. U.N. officials lament that on Aug. 19, 22 of its staff members were killed and many more wounded by an explosion at the U.N. complex in Baghdad.
In memory of those killed and wounded, the U.N. Postal Administration hurriedly issued a special definitive stamp titled "In Memoriam." The colorful stamp features a U.N. flag superimposed on the U.N. symbol with a message of tribute repeated many times in the background -- "Fallen In The Cause Of Peace."
A limited edition folder is also being released by the UNPA, which includes a statement by Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan honoring the victims of the bombing. Annan says, "Every day, in countries around the world, men and women serve under the flag of the United Nations to build and maintain peace, to relieve human suffering and to promote human rights. Unfortunately there are those who make the ultimate sacrifice. In memory of those killed and wounded in Baghdad, we pay tribute."
To order your U.N. special memorial stamp or the special edition folder, call toll-free (800) 234-UNPA, or write to the United Nations Postal Administration, P.O. Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
Stamp albums
The UNPA also announced that its Annual Collection Folders containing single-mint stamps and souvenir sheets issued in 2003 has been released. The albums are in full color and provide background information on each issue. Profiles of the artists are included. The mint stamps and souvenir sheets are not affixed inside the albums, although spaces and mounts are provided for this purpose. Call the 800 number for ordering.
The popular "Minuteman U.S. Stamp Album" by Scott Publishing Co. has been redesigned into three parts divided into centuries. The first part is now the "Minuteman 19th-Century" album which features pages from 1840 through 1899. The second part is the "Minuteman 20th-Century" album with pages from 1900 through 1999. The third is the "Minuteman " which includes pages for 2000 through 2002.
The 19th-century album sells for $5.99, the 20th-century version retails for $22.99 and the 21st-century one costs $9.99.
For more information, contact your local stamp dealer or call the Scott Co. toll-free at (800) 572-6885.