- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Oak Harbor Today
By the People, for the People
13-Year-Old to Sing National Anthem at Bruce Lee Stamp Ceremony
Genelia Lai to perform at event honoring martial arts icon with new USPS Forever stamp
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 13-year-old from Oak Harbor, Washington, Genelia Lai, is set to perform the national anthem at a special event honoring Bruce Lee with a new U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp on February 18th. The event, held at the Nippon Kan Theatre in Seattle, celebrates Lee's profound influence on martial arts, film, and American culture.
Why it matters
The Bruce Lee Forever stamp, featuring a black-and-white painting of Lee executing a flying kick, is more than just a commemorative piece. It acknowledges Lee's impact as a Chinese-American martial artist who 'reshaped the direction of martial arts' and 'inspired a generation of fans.' For Genelia Lai and her family, the opportunity to perform at the event carries a poignant meaning, given the discrimination Lee faced during his career and Genelia's own experiences with racism.
The details
Genelia Lai's path to this performance was serendipitous, as an audition tape initially sent to the wrong department within the USPS eventually reached the Lee family, who were deeply moved by her talent and invited her to perform. Despite her passion for singing and experience performing at local events, she expressed both excitement and nervousness about singing at the Nippon Kan Theater, her largest audience yet.
- The Bruce Lee Forever stamp will be released on February 18, 2026.
- The first-day-of-issue event for the stamp will be held at the Nippon Kan Theater in Seattle, Washington on February 18, 2026.
The players
Genelia Lai
A 13-year-old from Oak Harbor, Washington who is set to perform the national anthem at the event honoring Bruce Lee with a new USPS Forever stamp.
Bruce Lee
A Chinese-American martial artist who 'reshaped the direction of martial arts' and 'inspired a generation of fans,' according to the USPS.
U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
The agency that is releasing a new Forever stamp featuring a black-and-white painting of Bruce Lee executing a flying kick.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The first-day-of-issue event for the Bruce Lee Forever stamp is free and open to the public, though it has reached full attendance capacity.
The takeaway
The Bruce Lee stamp and Genelia Lai's performance represent a powerful combination of honoring the past and inspiring the future. As the Asian American population continues to grow and exert its influence, we can expect to see further efforts to recognize and celebrate their contributions to all facets of American life.
