Remembering WFB: Quick Reflections on William F. Buckley Jr. Stamp Day

It’s raining in New York today. I share that because yesterday could not have been a more beautiful day in the area. It was what I considered a national holiday, WFB Stamp Day, and as I made my way to New Haven for the official postal unveiling on Yale’s campus, it seemed to only get more perfect.

I was intensely aware all day of people who would have been there if they were still walking the earth. Dorothy McCartney, Bill’s longtime researcher — and many other things at National Review, including a bit of a conscience and truth teller, as well as full of grace and highly entertaining. As the day went on and talk of friendship as his superpower was overflowing, I missed Kate O’Beirne like crazy, as I often do. As I was telling Larry Perelman — author of the book on Bill and friendship — who made the trip to New Haven, too, Kate had that gift for noticing the person in the room who she could have overlooked. She never seemed to. I also mentioned to Larry that after Kate died, I found a note from Bill thanking Kate and her husband Jim for something marvelous they did. I haven’t asked Jim. Even as I share this much, maybe it was only meant for them and God. And I suspect it helped them on their way.

George Will was his brilliant, classy self. How neat to see Christopher Buckley there, standing with a life-sized stamp as he delivered his remarks. There were old friends and colleagues and fans of WFB and NR. I may have signed a copy of the WFB 100 issue of the print magazine as “K-Lo” — it seemed appropriate. It’s what Cardinal Dolan calls me, and WFB might have gotten into it.

Stamp Day on social media was a mixed bag, as you might imagine. And I’ve even seen people on the right not be able to comment without letting their angst about current politics overtake the moment. But here’s the thing: We’re a young nation, still. At 250, you’re a kid, America! Knowing Bill, loving Bill, remembering Bill — having a resplendent impact is possible, even on politics. George Will called him the most consequential journalist we’ve had here. That’s more than highest building in Topeka territory. It’s a legacy we’re called to be stewards of. As conservatives, as citizens, as fans and students and friends and mentees. And it’s a bipartisan thing. The post office didn’t do this because a Republican is president. The post office did this because he was a respected, multitalented American, who sought to use his time here well. It’s always also incomplete to talk about Bill without talking about his Catholic faith. It was essential to understanding him. And he didn’t hide it or manipulate it. He asked questions. He shared honest emotions and struggles, even. But it rooted him, and every time you realize that, you are also reminded of the power of a mother in the life of her child!

If you haven’t bought some yet, here’s the link to buy the WFB stamps. As I write, I’ve gone through a sheet and a half so far. If you’re ever getting me a gift, I’ll need more stamps. Always. The first print run was 12 million. We may need more. I bought one post office out of them yesterday, but the Stamford office I went to was well-supplied:

There are some other WFB stamp products — first day covers, some have asked me about, are here. There’s a big display thingy (press sheet with die-cuts) that I gather is a stamp-collecting thing here. Notebooks are here. A historical panel thing is here. A digital postmark commemorative envelope here. And I think that’s all. They had pins available at the ceremony yesterday, but they seemed to be one-to-a-person and maybe for that day only. I’m personally waiting for the stamp earrings. The postal museum in D.C. used to sell a bunch of those, though I long ago lost my “Love” stamp ones.

By the way, I saw this neat little video from the postal service while on Metro-North last night:

I’ll stop now. Use these days — especially as we prepare for Bill’s 100th birthday in November — to reread some WFB. I always tell people to start with Miles Gone By (Which I gather is a very cool audiobook — he reads it). But I know others who recommend starting with Cruising Speed. You can’t go wrong with any collection, I don’t think. I like Let Us Talk of Many Things — there are a few favorites in there, including “What Americanism Seeks to Be.”

And, once you have your stamps, make someone’s day more beautiful: Write and send more letters. That’s one way to continue some of the best of Bill’s legacy:

Human encounter is the thing that made WFB WFB — a Christian man of service and wisdom. Not a perfect man (I have yet to meet that one), but a good man. It’s a life we are called to regardless of our vocabulary.

And if anyone knows how to get one of these, would you send it my way?

I dropped these in the box outside the Yale bookstore two minutes before the little mail truck showed up for pickup!