Youth: Our hope for the future

Youth who participate in American Legion summer programs – Boys State, Boys Nation, Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Championships and Legion Baseball – enjoy weeks filled with leadership, character development, teamwork and competition. While I’m thankful to those youth for their participation, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the parents and coaches for stepping up and mentoring the next generation of America’s leaders. Because future leaders is what we have in our Americanism youth programs.

The American Legion changes lives. It’s been changing lives of veterans, and children and youth, since 1919. I never would have gotten into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point if it had not been for my experience at American Legion Boys State in Indiana.

When youth go back home after attending our programs, they quickly realize the impact of their experiences. New doors are going to open for them and the challenge for them is to thank those who got them there – their coaches, parents and post leaders. But they also need to share the message of what The American Legion’s programs are about.

Our nation depends on these youth to be the future leaders; they’re going to do well because they’ve got a great network – The American Legion Family. No matter our age, we all share a common bond – we love our country, we love our youth, and we know that if we are going to continue to keep America strong than we have to step up.

So I challenge all our youth program participants to step up in their school, to step up in their community. I want our youth program participants to tell others about their experiences because we need you at The American Legion. We’ve invested in you; you are our hope for the future.

And lastly, thank you to my American Legion Family for stepping up and making these programs possible.