State Senator  Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I-Shirley) presented a poster commemorating the introduction of the Purple Heart stamp as a Forever stamp to Commander Leo Belanger of VFW Post 8651 of the Mastics and Shirley.  Senator Zeldin (Above, Left), a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, is also the Senior Vice-Commander of Post 8651. Commander Belanger (Above, Right) is a Vietnam Veteran.   

The United States Postal Service officially unveiled and issued the Purple Heart Forever stamp on May 5, 2011 in San Diego, California.

The new classification ensures the Purple Heart stamp will continue in circulation and supporters will no longer need to advocate for its reissuance each time the price of stamps increases.

The Purple Heart is awarded by the President of the United States to members of the military who have been wounded or killed in action.