2013 A Flag for All Seasons Forever First Class Postage Stamps

The servicemen interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are “Known but to God”, yet they are regarded as every American’s sons and brothers. In honor of their ultimate sacrifice, a perpetual guard and the United States flag have stood watch over the tomb since July 2, 1937.

Drawn from the Army’s elite 3rd Infantry Regiment, the tomb guards stand sentinel day and night, in every season and in all weather conditions. They follow a precise, ceremonial routine: marching the length of a black mat, turning to face east, then north, and returning — each movement punctuated by a “shoulder-arms” gesture, symbolizing their readiness to defend.

Guards are changed every 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the time of day and season, a schedule that never wavers — even during blizzards, hurricanes, or the quiet of a summer’s night. This unwavering dedication is enshrined in the Sentinel’s Creed:

“Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.”

To honor this spirit of sacrifice and service, artist Laura Stutzman of Maryland created the patriotic gouache illustrations for the Flag for All Seasons stamps. Each of the four Forever® stamps depicts the U.S. flag from below, framed by trees and sky that reflect a different season — a moving tribute to the flag and the ideals it represents in every season of the nation’s life.