Boys Nation senators visit hallowed ground

Although the 98 Boys Nation 2015 senators started off their day like they usually do, taking turns getting ready and conversing with each other during breakfast, July 20 unfolded unlike any other day they have ever experienced.

Typically, Monday is the most dreaded day of the week for lots of Americans. It was quite the opposite for the rising high school seniors, all of whom had an exciting day in store for them.

The pitter-patter of their feet could be heard while they boarded charter buses, and the young men smiled exuberantly while awaiting arrival for their first destination.

Upon arrival to Arlington National Cemetery, the senators’ demeanor quickly shifted to somber as they marched along paths to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While several onlookers observed, Cody Woodruff from Iowa and Benjamin Payne from Mississippi laid a wreath on behalf of American Legion Boys Nation at the tomb, along with National Commander Michael D. Helm and National Chaplain Tierian “Randy” Cash.

Following the wreath laying, the senators and staff members explored the cemetery, which left everyone awe-inspired. For a few staff members in particular, the hallowed grounds had personal meaning.

“It’s easy when walking around Arlington Cemetery to lose sight of what you are looking at,” said Mark Seavey, a Boys Nation counselor and blogger for the Legion’s Burn Pit. Seavey has the unfortunate distinction of having several friends buried on the grounds, along with other servicemembers who were linked to him in some way.

Seavey made a post on his Facebook page asking for people to send him names of fallen heroes to visit, which prompted a special request from a Gold Star mother to visit her son’s plot since she has not able to make it this year.

Flanked on his left and right by Boys Nation senators, the group of men embarked on a sacred journey across the burial site to honor the lives of the following eight individuals:

• Gen. John Clem – He enlisted in the Army at the age of 12 during the Civil War, became a sergeant by age 14 and eventually attained the rank of general.

• Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone – The World War II Marine earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal and later died during the battle of Iwo Jima.

• Master Sgt. Tim Griz Martin - He died in the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia and was friends with Seavey’s best friend.

• Spc. Stephan Mace – The 21-year-old from Lovettsville, Va., served with friends of Seavey’s and died during the COP Keating battle in the Kamdesh Valley of Afghanistan.

• Charles Dwayne Burton – He served in the Army and in Bosnia with Seavey.

• Pfc. Ross McGinnis – The 19-year-old Army soldier was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for throwing himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers during the Iraq war.

• Cpt. Lawrence “Roo” Yacubian – He served with Seavey in Afghanistan and passed away one year ago.

• Pfc. Sergio Abad – The 21-year-old died when his outpost was attacked from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan. His mother asked Seavey to visit his grave on her behalf.

“The boys see thousands of graves, but those of us who knew these men see something different,” Seavey said. “We see the final resting place of a father, a son, a friend, and a brother in arms. I wanted the kids to know that it isn’t the slab of granite that makes this place so hallowed, but rather the brave men and women who live here for eternity, having done their jobs to ensure our future freedoms.”

Thank to social media, Abad’s mother was able to see Seavey and the senators visiting her son’s grave and conveyed her thanks digitally.

“My heart is overflowing with grief, but I feel the love of these young men,” she said via a post on Facebook.

Much like Seavey, fellow Boys Nation counselor Dennis Barlow found himself traversing the grounds in search of his loved ones. Both of Barlow’s parents found their final resting spot in the same plot. As he trekked along the paths in search of his mother and father, he came across the grave of his grandfather who happens to be buried on the opposite side of the massive cemetery.

As he reflected on the experience, Barlow said he was glad he had the opportunity to visit his parents for the first time since they were laid to rest. “I had some things to talk to my mom about, and it was good to be able to do that,” he said.

The staff and senators continued on with their day-to-day activities bonding over the experiences they shared. Later in the day, they visited the White House and met with President Barack Obama. After they bumped elbows with the president, the boys returned to campus and went back to work.