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The letter card, cover 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. (From: "Dear Families" published by the Ministry of Defense, on the occasion of Israel's 50th Anniversary)
The graphic design of the Memorial Day stamps has been expressed over the years symbolically and through monuments.
The stamp design reflects the words of the poem "The Silver Platter" by Natan Alterman. The poem first appeared in Alterman's column "The Seventh Column" in Davar newspaper on December 19, 1947,
The Silver Platter expresses the absolute sacrifice made by the soldiers who fought in the War of Independence, as they served themselves up on a silver platter for the sake of the State in-themaking.
Through wondering tears, the people stare.
"Who are you, the silent two?" And they reply:
"We are the silver platter upon which the Jewish State was served to you".
