Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s November 2, 1815. I’m with Samuel Wilson, nicknamed Uncle Sam.
JG: “Uncle Sam, how did the United States get your nickname?
SW: “John, I own a meatpacking plant in New York. During the War of 1812, I supplied the American Army with meat. I stamped the crates with “U.S.” for United States, but the soldiers started calling the United States “Uncle Sam” after my government issued meat.”
Read more about the nickname “Uncle Sam.”
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
