In the late 1860s and 1870s, political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902) began popularizing the image of Uncle Sam. Nast continued to evolve the image, eventually giving Sam the white beard and stars-and-stripes suit that are associated with the character today. The German-born Nast was also credited with creating the modern image of Santa Claus and with coining the donkey as a symbol for the Democratic Party and the elephant as a symbol for the Republicans.

Perhaps the most famous image of Uncle Sam was created by artist James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960). In Flagg’s version, Uncle Sam wears a tall top hat and blue jacket and is pointing straight ahead at the viewer. During World War I, this portrait of Sam with the words “I Want You For The U.S. Army” was used as a recruiting poster. The image, which became immensely popular, was first used on the cover of Leslie’s Weekly in July 1916 with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” The poster was widely distributed and has subsequently been reused numerous times with different captions.

In September 1961, the U.S. Congress recognized Samuel Wilson as “the progenitor of America’s national symbol of Uncle Sam.” Wilson died at age 87 in 1854, and was buried next to his wife, Betsey Mann, in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York, the town that calls itself “The Home of Uncle Sam.”

The U.S. Space Force focuses on the following objectives:

• • National Security: Safeguard U.S. and allied satellites and ground equipment from threats.
  • Space Operations: Conduct military operations in space to support terrestrial missions.
  • Satellite Management: Oversee and maintain satellite systems for communication and surveillance (GPS and missile warning).
  • Space Research: Advance technology and capabilities for future space endeavors.
  • International Collaboration: Partner with allied nations for joint space operations and security.
  • Policy Development: Establish guidelines and strategies for space governance and military engagement.

Simply put, the Space Force does work “TO, IN, and FROM space.”  The rockets take the satellites “TO” space. The USSF protects space from “IN” space, and they provide Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines communication, navigation, missile warning, and surveillance “FROM” space.

We are grateful to our Crystal Lake Heroes who serve our nation and to the families who, in their own way, serve as well.

The Blue Star flag or service banner represents the home of someone who has a family member in active service.

The Silver Star banner or flag displays a Blue Star Covered with silver threads to representWounded service personnel

The Gold Star Banner, with a blue edge, represents a family Member who died during military operations.

A footnote to the service banner history is the use of the American War Mothers Flag. It is a banner consisting of a white field with a prominent red border. At the top of the flag is a Blue Star, representing all those who served in World War I, with the number “4,695,039” in blue figures below the star to denote the number who served. Across the center of the flag are the words “United States Service Flag.” Below these words, there is a Gold Star to honor the “60,672” who gave their lives in service, with these numbers rendered in gold figures below the star. The original woolen version of this flag was first flown over the U.S. Capitol on Armistice Day (November 11), 1926 and is still flown every year on Veterans Day, the 11th day of the 11th month, starting at 11 minutes after 11 o’clock to sundown.