Laughter, tears as 71st Boys Nation concludes

There was laughter, and there were tears. Heartfelt thank-you’s and gut-busting guffaws.

Parents, grandparents and other relatives saw the 98 senators graduate from American Legion Boys Nation Friday night in a ceremony that highlighted the program’s “week that shapes a lifetime.”

Ultimately, the Class of 2016 at Boys Nation heard more bills — 44 — than any previous class. And they, like the classes that came before, formed friendships and a brotherhood that will last a lifetime.

The delegates received their certificates of graduation in a raucous ceremony complete with fellow students shouting nicknames and catchphrases in support as each senator’s name was called.

Along with the fun, of course, came a sense of duty. As the senate’s final session ended earlier Friday, Boys Nation Vice President Choteau Kammel told his fellow senators that their session would not truly end until each of them had completed years of service at the end of productive lives.

Kevin Collier, National Commander of the Sons of The American Legion, echoed that sentiment at the graduation ceremony when he said, “Be the good leaders you have shown yourselves to be this past week.”

Americanism Commission Chairman Richard Anderson urged the graduates to honor not only those who gave their lives in war, but also those veterans who commit suicide each day.

“We give to you a responsibility. Their voices are unheard; their footsteps are silent. It is now your turn to be their voice, to be their footsteps,” Anderson said.

At least one long-time staff member, co-assistant director of activities Russell Martin, was working at Boys Nation for the last time. He’s retiring after 30 years on staff.

And other staffers and former delegates paid tribute in video interviews to Past National Commander Bob Turner, director of activities, who’s been on staff for 34 of the program’s 71 years.

“I simply just try to do my job,” Turner said. “I believe in young people of this country; if I didn’t believe in them, I wouldn’t be here. I thank all of you for allowing me to be a part of it. It’s something that I look forward to. I know the clock is ticking on my years physically and mentally, but it’s been fun, and again I thank you so much.”

Boys Nation President Anighya Crocker and Kammel each received $2,000 scholarships, while President Pro Tempore Aaron Jaffe and Secretary Pranoy Behara each earned $1,000 scholarships for holding office at Boys Nation.