An honor guard of Lawrence-Douglas County firefighters on Friday helped unveil a new U.S. stamp that honors the heroes of Sept. 11 while raising money to support the families of emergency service personnel who were killed in attacks that day.

Though it was New York firefighters and police officers killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, everyone in those professions across the nation was affected, said Mark Bradford, deputy chief with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical honor guard member Richard Bull helps unveil the new postal stamp commemorating Heroes

“Our family has always been close-knit, and I think we have more friends in that family now,” Bradford told those assembled during a ceremony at the downtown post office, 645 Vt.

Attending were about 20 law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics, along with an audience of more than 30 postal employees and other people.

“We are forever in your debt,” Lawrence Mayor Sue Hack told the officers.

Lawrence Police Chief Ron Olin said it was more important than ever for emergency service agencies to work together for the nation’s protection.

The stamp, for use on first-class mail, went on sale nationwide Friday at a cost of 45 cents 11 cents more than a regular first-class stamp. The extra money the stamp brings in will be transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and then on to the families of 9-11 victims.

The stamp will remain at 45 cents when the cost of a first-class mail eventually goes to 37 cents, Lawrence Postmaster Bill Reynolds said. It will remain on sale through Dec. 31, 2004.

Bearing the words “Heroes, USA,” the stamp has a background of the now-famous picture of New York City firefighters raising the American flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center.

During the ceremony, Kansas Highway Patrol Maj. Mark Goodloe noted the risks U.S. Postal Service workers face.

“You are also on the front lines,” he said to postal workers, “delivering parcels and packages, and since Sept. 11, some of them have become very dangerous.”