A half-century ago, Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his pledge to liberate the Philippine Islands during World War II.
To hail this anniversary, the republic of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific has released a special 52-cent stamp plus an imperforate souvenir sheet. The items are the latest in the islands' "History of World War II" series.The stamp depicts MacArthur and his staff accompanied by Philippine President-in-exile Sergio Osmena landing on Leyte, Oct. 20, 1944. MacArthur's famed words were "People of the Philippines, I have returned."
The souvenir sheet is entitled "A Promise Made. A Promise Kept." It incorporates two new 50-cent stamps. One is a reprise of the 1992 stamp "MacArthur Returns to the Philippines." The other is similar to the new 52-cent stamp being released simultaneously. The sheet also features MacArthur's signature and the words "Defender and Liberator of the Philippines."
The mint stamps and the souvenir sheet are available for $10.95, first-day covers for $14.95, and both for $24.95 from the Military Collectors Society, P.O. Box 56562, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413.
The Marshall Islands republic also has issued an unusual 29-cent Christmas stamp that portrays the holiday season through the eyes of a child. Designed by 13-year-old student Ringo Baso, the stamp was the winning entry in a competition that asked schoolchildren to submit ideas for that nation's Christmas stamps. Young Baso's winning entry featured a church and a Christmas tree.