The Postal Service will issue a stamp honoring actor and comedian Bob Hope on what would have been Hope’s 106th birthday on May 29. Hope dedicated a significant part of his life to entertaining men and women in uniform. After giving hundreds of performances overseas, he earned the nickname of “G.I. Bob” and in 1997 became the first person recognized by Congress as an honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Hope’s thousands of honors also include the Congressional gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Join the Postal Service on Friday, May 29 at Cape Coral Central Post Office, 1030 SE 9th Ave, Cape Coral for a special Bob Hope “Support The Troops” stamp event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cape Coral Mayor Jim Burch has proclaimed May 29, 2009 Support The Troops day in Cape Coral.

A limited edition collectible cachet envelope featuring the Bob Hope stamp image and a first day of sale official postmark will be available for sale in all Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral Post Offices starting May 29 while supplies last. The cachet envelopes can be requested by mail. Send $3 per envelope, a self addressed return envelope and indicate the postmark city, Fort Myers or Cape Coral to: Bob Hope Cachet, 79 Mid Cape Ter, Cape Coral, Fl 33991. You can request a Lehigh Acres postmark.

A “Top Packer” challenge will feature a competition to see who can pack the most items in a Priority Mail APO/FPO flat rate box. The competition will be judged by the USPS Consumer Advisory Council and three winners will be selected to win free postage for their package going to a military address. The winner will be determined based on the number of items and total weight of the package. Contestants can bring their unsealed packages to the Cape Coral Central Post Office event location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for judging.

The Postal Service is carrying on Bob Hope’s legacy of entertaining American men and women in uniform by encouraging communities nationwide to support the troops and send care packages to military personnel stationed around the world. Care packages and reminders of home are a big morale boost for military service members. To help families and friends of military personnel, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes.

“I want to make sure our residents know about the discount for military shipping as well as our free Military Care Kit, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas,” said Area Postmaster Anne Murray.