Unveiling of the Charlton Heston U.S. Forever Postal Stamp

Today, April 11, 2014, SAG-AFTRA made it possible for us to attend the unveiling of the new USPS postage stamp honoring Charlton Heston, the unveiling which was brought to us by Turner Classic Movies and the United States Post Office. It was held at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA.

For me, this seemed a rare opportunity. Growing up, I loved Charlton Heston movies, but not his politics, so in later years I kept the fondness for Heston the actor, if not Heston the man. This event allowed me to learn that there was far more to the man than I had known.  For example, at the height of his newly gained popularity, he had used his clout in the entertainment industry to help make SAG a reality, which is even more important to know than the fact he was a SAG president. He also marched with Dr. King and supported many civil rights and union causes.

 





Although I've never been a stamp collector, another reason I wanted to go was that it was a connection with my late father. Dad worked and retired from the post office.  The post office also sent me to college in the first of the three years it had merit scholarships for employees children.  This was funded by the profits from the canteen where the employees had their lunches, since the post office being a government facility wasn't suppose to turn a profit in such things. After three years, there was a protest that this didn't give any benefit to employees who didn't have children, this was dropped in favor of giving all employees Thanksgiving turkeys. Later the politicians half privatized the post office to give their 1% cronies even more unearned public money and so the turkeys went and I'm sure the profits then got pocketed.  We all know they didn't lower the prices to eliminate any possible profits.

 

Still, I have a soft spot for the U.S. Post Office.



 

I apologize that my camera doesn't take great photos.  I don't have one of those iPads that seemed to be taking great photos at this event.

 

It was interesting to hear Charlton Heston's son, Fraser, talk about his father and how he had his first job in the industry playing the baby Moses in his father's film. He also talked about his great fondness and love for TCM, as Turner Classic Movies gave him his first directing job.

 

It was also wonderful to see Charlton's widow, Lydia Clarke Heston, there.  It's lovely to see how vital she still is at 91. And wonderful to hear of a marriage that lasted a lifetime, such a rarity in Hollywood, and even today, in America.

 

All in all, an interesting event that I'm glad I got to attend.