By Ace Townsen
Neighbors,
At the time of this writing, I am in month two of my term as Commander of Post 109. During these first couple of months, our challenges have included keeping our members and guests safe while also following the guidance established by our state’s officials. During this time, it has been easy to lose focus of why we do what we do because of the distractions of the world around us. But as I sit here reflecting on why I joined the American Legion, I was reminded of one of the amazing programs that our organization sponsors to help America’s young men and women grow into productive citizens of this country. I would like to share this program with you.
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. It is a participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State.
At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
Legion posts select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post.
Boys State programs all adhere to the same basic concept: teaching government from the township to the state level.
Unfortunately, Boys and Girls State is canceled this year due to COVID-19. But it is my goal to partner with our local high schools in Vail to identify candidates for 2021 to be sponsored by Post 109.
If you have any questions for me about Boys State or about joining the American Legion Family, please email me at al109commander@gmail.com.