This is a statue of an icon of the United States known as 'Uncle Sam'. His real name was Sam Wilson and he supplied beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. To distinguish his meat from other suppliers, he stamped 'U.S.' on the barrels. He soon became known as 'Uncle Sam' Wilson. From those beginnings came forth the patriotic image well known to Americans as Uncle Sam. The statue is located in Troy, New York (just north of Albany, the state capital) since this was the place where Uncle Sam shipped his meat to the U.S. Army. The plaque on the bottom of the statue reads: Uncle Sam Wilson 1766 1854 of Troy-New York Born in Arlington-Mass