Lawrence Banks didn’t know what to expect when he received a large brown envelope from the White House last week.

“I said, ‘I don’t owe the White House nothing,’” the St. Joseph man said.

But his daughter Laraine Jones, who just happened to be visiting when the mail came that day, knew exactly what the letter was all about. She was surprised it came right in time for her father’s 88th birthday.

Mr. Banks himself was surprised when he opened the envelope to find a signed birthday greeting from President Bush and the first lady, a signed picture of the president and a letter.

“(My daughter) said, ‘Daddy look here,’ and my heart went ‘doop doop.’ That was great,” Mr. Banks said.

As a gift for her father’s birthday on March 20, Mrs. Jones went on the usa.gov Web site and signed her father up to receive a special birthday greeting from the president.

The White House sends greetings to U.S. citizens for special occasions such as seniors celebrating their 80th and above birthdays, weddings, 50th or greater wedding anniversaries and baby births. It’s a free service.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for some time,” Mrs. Jones said. “My dad was a veteran, he served his country and he’s very interested in world events. I thought, well, this is a good way to show Daddy how his tax dollars work.”

The letter, picture and birthday card are all framed. They join a living room wall that’s full of family photos, an “Uncle Sam Wants You” poster and a signed picture of boxer Joe Louis. In one hallway is a poster of the senior Bush. On another is a picture of Condoleezza Rice.

A strange choice of heroes for a man who says he isn’t a Republican.

“I’m the only Democrat that was in my family,” Mr. Banks said.

But I always liked that man (George W. Bush), I love the Bush family,” he added. “I loved his dad, too. He was a soldier like I was.”

Alonzo Weston can be reached

at alonzow@npgco.com.

Various ways to get your letter

Persons can send greeting requests by visiting the Web site at usa.gov or by fax at (202) 395-1232 or by mailing requests to:

The White House

Attn: Greetings Office

Washington, D.C. 20502-0039

These are the guidelines:

Must be a U.S. Citizen and provide the following information when making your request:

Name of honoree(s).

Address of honoree(s).

Form of address (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss).

Date (month, day, year) of birth, birthday, wedding, or anniversary.

Requestor’s name and daytime phone number.

NUMBER OF REQUESTS LIMITED. The number of requests you can submit per day is limited. Institutional requests for multiple greetings must be submitted by fax or mail on official letterhead with the required information listed above.

WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR GREETING. For birthdays and anniversaries, greetings will be mailed from the White House about 14 days prior to the event. Wedding and baby’s birth greetings will be sent after the event.

Please select one of the following to make a request:

BABY’S BIRTH GREETING

A baby birth card will be sent within a year of the birth. Please make your request after the baby is born.

BIRTHDAY GREETING

A birthday card will be sent to individuals celebrating their 80th (or greater) birthday. Please make your request at least six weeks in advance of the birthday.

WEDDING GREETING

A wedding card will be sent to couple after the event. Please make your request after the wedding.

ANNIVERSARY GREETING

An anniversary card will be sent to couples who are celebrating their 50th (or greater) wedding anniversary. Please make your request at least six weeks in advance of the anniversary.