Bill Osborn, a member of AMVETS Post No. 10, dresses up as Uncle Sam, complete with the beard, at the organization’s fireworks stand in the parking lot of the Coos Bay Safeway. He and Bill Kehler, stocking supplies on the right, help run the stand each year. World Photo by Lou Sennick

Selling fireworks is just more fun if you’re Uncle Sam.

In the days leading up to the Fourth, Bill Osborn can be seen wearing an Uncle Sam suit, complete with an American flag top hat.

“I don’t know if it helps the sales, but it couldn’t hurt,” the 55-year-old AMVETS member said.

He recalls strolling the Fred Meyer store, where he encountered a 3-year-old boy. The boy exclaimed, “Mommy, he dresses funny!”

Osborn has appeared as Uncle Sam for Coos Bay’s annual Memorial Day parade. His homegrown salt-and-pepper beard completes the effect.

A longtime volunteer for the Bay Area AMVETS Post 10 fireworks booth, Osborn said he enjoys clowning around. But he and fellow AMVETS members also put a lot of work into setting up and running the stand, located in front of the Coos Bay Safeway,

Proceeds go toward AMVETS operations and to support the troops.

“Anything to do with the veterans is important. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us,” Osborn said. “It’s like the old saying: ‘All gave some and some gave all.’ ”