PEACE ROSE-FOREVER STAMP: The U.S. Postal Service is going to dedicate a new “Forever Stamp”
this weekend, the event takes place this Saturday at the American Rose Center in West Shreveport. Laura Seabaugh, executive director of the center explains the significance of this occasion. "It's a great honor for north Louisiana to hve this event hosted here. The reason they've selected our garden is we are the national headquarters of the American Rose Society which is 126 years old and they thought this would be the perfect to release their new rose stamp."
The story behind the Peace rose is a fascinating one. Many years ago, Francis Meilland of the House of Meilland, a family-business that grew roses in France, created a new hybrid rose that he knew would be a one of a kind. At the time France was about to enter World War II, so before he could see it blossom, he sent it on to an American grower in the U.S. where it would grow into a colorful, hearty hybrid. "Robert Pyle was the gentleman who received the rose and grew the rose while the war was going on. The whole time the
rose was growing in America, Francis Meilland actually didn't know what was happening with the rose, he knew that it was special."
After the rose bloomed, Pyle sent cuttings to other growers to test the plant in various climatic zones and soil conditions. The trials were so successful that the rose was introduced April 29, 1945, and made available for sale to the public. With war still raging across the globe, American growers selected a new name for the rose as a reflection of the world’s most fervent desire: peace.
Because the Peace Rose has become renowned for its blend of colors and heartiness, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing a forever stamp in recognition of its significance. Those who attend the ceremony at the American Rose Center can purchase the new stamps on site which will become collectible given they are the first stamps to be issued. The Peace Rose Forever Stamp dedication ceremony is 11am Saturday, April 21st at the American Rose Center located at 8877 Jefferson Paige Road, in West Shreveport.
