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The letter, envelope and stamp – all of which are special and unique to Memorial Day – constitute the basis of a sensitive, original and extraordinary tradition that came into being following the War of Independence.
Since Memorial Day 1952, a long line of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Defense have signed personal letters to bereaved families of the fallen and Israel's premier artists take part in designing the covers and stamps for this commemorative day.
Thus, from year to year, an unprecedented tradition has formed which over time has become one of the most recognized and extraordinary ambassadors of Israel's commemorative culture.
The graphic design of the Memorial Day stamps has been expressed over the years symbolically and through monuments.
At the center of the current design is a flower called Hemerocallis, a perennial flower in the Lily family.
The flower, with its flame-like colors, symbolizes commemoration, the twilight clouds represent war and the toll it takes, the white doves and the blue sky symbolize hope and peace.
From: "Dear Families"
Published by the Ministry of Defense on the occasion of Israel's 50th Anniversary
