The delegates arrive from across the nation to begin their week of adventure at Boys Nation.
The Washington D.C. weather was hot as was the rest of the country, but that didn't damper any of the excitement evident in the boys' eyes.
The delegates initially signed in, received their room keys and Boys Nation polo shirts before heading to their assigned dorm rooms to drop off luggage. Soon they had the opportunity for their first meal at Marymount University and then it was off for their first section meetings followed by an ice cream social mixer.
The last day of Boys Nation 2010 brings the last senate session which lasted most of the morning and was broadcast live here at legion.org.
The afternoon brought the trip to the White House where the senators and staff had an exciting afternoon spending time waiting for President Obama to return. The senators watched from the windows of the White House as the president's helicopter touched down on the lawn. Within the half hour he came in to the room the senators and staff were waiting for him, he spoke to the young men and entertained a few questions. The senators sang Happy Birthday and before the president left he made a point to also greet every staff member.
The evening graduation ceremony was emotional, joyful and one that the senators and the staff will remember. Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Vince Patton, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, retired.
For all, it has been a week to remember for always and the staff witnessed changes within the senators that did indeed make true that this week at Boys Nation was a week that shapes a lifetime.
A day on the hill. With the humid, hot temperatures abounding, the senators head to the hill to meet with their senators. A day full of exploring, learning and watching our government at work along with the amazing opportunity to meet the senators from their home states.
Evening brought the much anticipated and much loved visit from Holocaust survivor, Nesse Goden. She was thrilled to speak to Boys Nation once again and the senators were captivated and moved by her stirring and emotional story.
The morning began with the inauguration of Boys Nation President Charlie Brown and Vice-President, Alex Geiger. Their oath of office was administered by the Honorable Alan Lance, who is also a past national commander of The American Legion. The rest of the morning found the senators in senate sessions.
The afternoon brought a trip to the World War II Memorial, and the American History Museum.
The evening brought the popular alumni night, which the senators enjoyed thoroughly. This year the alumni sharing their insight and thoughts with the senators were: Joel Leftwich - Boys Nation 1995 Maj. Sean Morrow, USA - Boys Nation 1995 Nathan Skelley - Boys Nation 2002 Michael Lang - Boys Nation 1997
The day started with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery and a short visit to the Iwo Jima Memorial. The rest of the day was filled with party conventions for the Federalist and Nationalist parties.
