The Real Uncle Sam Story | Buffalo News

Uncle Sam wasn’t always a cartoon—he started as a real meat packer from Troy, New York, whose barrels stamped “U.S.” became a soldier’s favorite supply. His name stuck with troops during the War of 1812, eventually morphing into the symbol of the U.S. government. The iconic “I Want You” poster? That was artist James Montgomery Flagg in costume. Even today, his sixth-generation descendant proudly carries the legacy—though he served in the Navy, not the Army. In 1961, JFK officially honored Troy as Uncle Sam’s hometown, cementing a real man’s story into America’s enduring national icon. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/708906445535fb0f