Boys Nation Day 3: ‘You all represent the cream of the crop’

Boys Nation Day 3: ‘You all represent the cream of the crop’

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The first trip off campus for the senators of American Legion Boys Nation 2017 includes dinner with The American Legion family and a stirring visit to the National Mall.

Paying their respects

6 a.m. — Catholic senators and Boys Nation staff begin the day with Mass at Marymount University’s chapel. After breakfast, the entire senate attends a memorial service featuring National Chaplain Harvey Klee.

In his message, “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation,” Klee says, “I am both honored and blessed to be here this morning, standing before such outstanding young men as yourselves.” He praises the senators’ intelligence and drive and encourages them to take advantage of their opportunity.

“It is not the words that we say, but the words that we live by that count. By our own actions may we bring forth the fruit of justice and freedom for all,” Klee says.

The senators have a major role in the service. Indiana’s Dalton Thompson delivers the opening prayer and Georgia’s Joshua Garland reads the scripture, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The POW/MIA remembrance is read by Mississippi’s Garrett Smith and Oregon’s Cooper Brooks. Participating in the dedication of the wreath which the program will place Monday at the Tomb of the Unknowns are Leon Jones of Arkansas, Jackson Peck of Maine, Austin Bannerman of Oregon, Dillon Swanson of North Dakota, Justin Paik of Rhode Island and John Fencl of West Virginia. Washington’s Benjamin Hull delivers the benediction.

9 a.m. — President Pro Tempore Corey Eisert-Wlodarczyk opens the senate session. The senators vote to suspend reading the previous day’s journal — “That would take all day,” Eisert-Wlodarczyk notes — and introduce more bills. Twenty minutes later, the senate breaks up into committees.

‘You are serving your country’

Noon — Singing is a tradition at Boys Nation, with Director of Activities Bob Turner often leading the senators in several patriotic songs. They’ll do so later today when they’re guests at Post 136 in Greenbelt, Md., but the senators take it upon themselves to get ready with an impromptu sing-along to “Bohemian Rhapsody” as they reconvene after lunch.

Once things settle down, John Espinoza, a 2011 California Boys State alum who works as deputy associate director in the office of public liaison in the White House, shares some of his experience with the senators.

1 p.m. — The second party conventions take place with nominations made for president and vice president and discussion of platforms. Fourteen Nationalists and 19 Federalists seek their party’s nomination for president.

3:45 p.m. — The senators and staff members board the buses for Greenbelt just in time, as a downpour hits as the buses leave Marymount. At Post 136, the senators are greeted by National Commander Charles Schmidt, Department of Maryland officers and other members of the Legion family.

“Senators, you all represent the cream of the crop,” Schmidt tells the senators. “… If your schools and American Legion departments did not believe in you, you would not be here. Most of you are already active in your communities. If you are serving your community, you are serving your country.”

Oregon’s senators, Bannerman and Brooks, and Maryland senators Chann Cortes and Jarred Walker present Schmidt and Maryland Department Commander James Marchinke respectively with a Boys Nation shirt and pin.

7:30 p.m. — It’s back to the buses for the drive to the National Mall. Fortunately, the rain has passed, but it’s left D.C. humid in its wake.

No matter. The senators take in the sights, posing for pictures under the pillars representing their state at the World War II Memorial, paying their respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, climbing the steps to the top of the Lincoln Memorial.

Darkness has fallen by 9:30, when the buses return for the drive back to Marymount. There are section meetings when they get back, and as “lights out” signals the end of the day, the rain falls once again, and thunder rumbles in the distance.

Follow the happenings at American Legion Boys Nation 2017 here on legion.org and on social media, #2017BoysNation.


Boys Nation

Boys Nation

At Boys State / Nation, 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.

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