First Ever Ashe County Pictorial Postmark created by Stephen Shoemaker 

Ashe County native artist and veteran Stephen Shoemaker has created an original piece of art that has been approved by the US Postal Service in Raleigh as the first-ever pictorial postmark for the 2008 Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute. First suggested by West Jefferson Post Master Drew Martin after the 2007 event, Stephen agreed to create this original work for submission.Once completed, Sandy Shatley of Carolina Printing and her graphics designer Brenda prepared the original into camera-ready format for publication into a rubber stamp. On Saturday, August 23, the West Jefferson Post Office will set up at the Tribute and cancel your mail for you with this postmark. Also available for sale will be collector's items in the form of a special #10 Purple Heart envelope that will have the ACAFT Pictorial Postmark as a silk cachet. This Pictorial Postmark will only be available at the event for cancellation on your mail, but the commemorative envelope will be available for 30 days. After 30 days the Pictorial Postmark will no longer be available. Bring your mail to have it postmarked at the Tribute, and plan to purchase one of the limited edition Purple Heart envelopes with the postmark affixed to it!