LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports for July 18, 2024
Weekly Reports for July 18, 2024
Through a Boys Staters Eyes…
BY Lawrance Monk Delegate for Post 394 District 12
Day 1: Sunday June 16th.
The night before, I collected my bags and headed for the American Legion Post that I need to get to so I can be picked up. Right before I got picked up I said goodbye to my parents one last time before I made my way to Tallahassee. After my post got picked up, we went to one more post so they could get picked up too, and we were on our way to the capital.
Sunday morning, we arrived at FSU. We were early, so we had to wait a little bit before going on our way to see our dorm rooms. Around 7am, we were allowed in so we could take our belongings with us to find our rooms. I was assigned to Space County, so I was on the top floor. Upon getting to the first floor, I was welcomed by both of my counselors and was shown my room and was given the items I would need to get through Boys State. Like everyone else, I was given a roommate, but my roommate has not arrived yet, so I tidied up the place before he came in. After my roommate settled in and we both rested, it was time for our first city council, where we had our “City Elections”. I had not run for any since none of them interested me. Right after we settled all the “City Elections” besides the Mayor spot, we headed to the Tucker Center (the basketball court where the Seminoles play) where we would have our meals, lessons, elections and the majority of our projects for the entirety of the program. We were introduced to some important people within our program and had our first lunch at Boys State.
Sunday afternoon, we were given 4 special classes we could choose from, and I chose 2: Public Speaking and How to Create a Bill to be Passed to Law. Those were two one-hour special courses and I learned a lot from them, applying it as the week goes on. After that, we went over to be told about how the program works and what our main schedule is for the week. Then, we started our first City Project.
Everyone from each city will separate and work on a project, like how a city council will usually work. I worked with my city until time was up. Then, we headed to our dorms.
Later that evening, we had a brief overview of what we did today as a city and were told about some special extracurricular activities we can do before the day actually starts. We were told about a talent show, but unfortunately, I couldn’t go because I sliced my thumb right before I left for Boys State, meaning I can’t do my talent (Rubik’s Cube). We were also told about the morning run that will take place at 5 in the morning. Everyone was sent to their dorm rooms around 10:55 pm before Taps/ Lights Out, meaning a Bugle player would play Taps, meaning it’s time to go to our rooms. I worked up until 1am to talk with my parents and get work done to prepare for the next day.
Day 2: Monday, June 17th
Around 5am, I woke up for the Morning Run. There was a large crowd of maybe 50-60 kids out there, like we were having a PE Class. We followed the Counselor in charge of the Morning Run and ran to a specific place before we could run anywhere to do exercise as long as we didn’t leave the boundaries. At around 6am, we were sent back to our dorms to get ready with our day. At around 7am we had breakfast in the Tucker Center, which was mainly Scrambled Eggs, Hash Browns (or any other form of potato) and juices to choose from, like it will be for most days throughout the week. After breakfast, we had lessons about the Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch. We also had lessons about law, where I answered a question about what kind of laws there are (I answered Military Law), and then we had a guest speaker talk to us.
Monday afternoon after lunch, we worked on county elections (city elections were yesterday), so we had elections where we elected our county representatives for special spots. I ran for a few, but I didn’t get voted into any of them (I didn’t speak clearly enough, and I wasn’t seen as competitive). After the elections, we had a county project, where we shared a scenario with the city on the same floor as us. I put as much input as possible, making me a good asset for the department I belonged in. After dinner, we had a few announcements of what was going to happen in the next few days, along with a reminder that there was no Morning Run Wednesday morning.
As we arrived at our dorms Monday night, we went to finish our county project, but my group was finished, so I volunteered my time to help the others in the other departments, but they respectfully declined my assistance. Shortly after, we had a Christian gathering, where more than a dozen Christians came together to share testimonies and beliefs (People had separate denominations). I would say that was the most wholesome moment I had in Boys State, being able to talk with other Christians including the chosen Chaplain of the program (props to him being the spiritual leader for our program). Later, I was pulled in by a fellow Boys Stater in my city and was asked if I would like to study with them around 5 in the morning. I agreed and then went to my room to finish some work and talk with my parents. I went to sleep at roughly 12 am because when my roommate and I woke up, we would leave to join a study group for an important test that lawyers take, called the Bar Test.
Day 3: Tuesday June 18th
Tuesday morning around 5am, I woke up along with my roommate to enter a conference room on our floor so we can study for the important Bar Exam (The Exam that Lawyers take so they can practice Law). Me along with a small handful of others studied for the exam before it was time to get ready for the day.
After Breakfast (the usual eggs, bacon or sausage, some form of potato and fruit juices), we took the Bar Exam after a review. I was not able to see my score until later that afternoon. But now we had more guest speakers and lessons about the Legislative Branch and about the spots that we can run for in the government (House of Representative, Senator, etc.) I planned to run for Senator.
After having lunch in the afternoon, we went to our places to start voting for the second county elections. Each county was separated throughout the other places. My County didn’t want to vote me for Attorney General and replaced me with another person, but I was showing my fullest support throughout the primary elections. I tried my best, but maybe it wasn’t the right spot for me. We got to choose our County Candidates to represent us. They will run and represent us tomorrow for primary elections and eventually state elections. For now, we just got to choose our County Candidates.
After dinner that evening, we were sent to our dorms a little earlier than usual. We were also given last minute time to work on our county projects, but since my team finished way earlier than the rest of the teams, we had nothing to work on. I used that time to talk with my family and finalize my speeches for tomorrow. Knowing there is no morning run the next morning, I will be able to sleep in and rest easily. That night was the best sleep I have ever had in Boys State. I got to sleep around 11:15 pm and didn’t have to wake up until 7:30 am next morning. That was the best sleep I ever had in that week.
Day 4: Wednesday June 19th
Wednesday Morning, I went to sleep a few hours later. I enjoyed every second of my sleep, knowing most of my work has been finalized and there is no morning run. My roommate talked about feeling better and relaxed after that sleep and to be honest, I felt the same. Around 8am everyone in my city left our rooms and ate our light breakfast (a large muffin). It’s a light breakfast and I liked it because I’m not a breakfast person. After getting to the Tucker Center, we had most guest speakers, but they are not like any other ones. People in charge of certain Military Academies spoke about their programs and also the Mayor of Tallahassee came in to speak too. He pulled me for a conversation, and I will never feel this honored for a long time. I also got to check out the Military Academy exhibits, and I was interested. I am not sure if I really want to go, but I will keep it just in case.
After lunch in the afternoon, we had our elections where we would vote for each spot to represent our party (Governor, Attorney General, and 2 Commissioners). No one in my city has got to represent us, but that’s okay. A little bit after the primary election, we had the main election between the Federalists vs the Nationalists. As a Nationalist, I supported the Federalists in all the spots besides the Attorney General.
The voting for this election was like no other. We got to vote like how we would do for the present, electronically. We fill in the blanks on our paper ticket, put it in the machine for the vote to count, then we get a “I voted” sticker. I got the feeling of what voting feels like for the first time. While the main election was going on, we had a talent show. I enjoyed the performer that danced and solved a Rubik’s Cube at the same time. While that guy was on stage, everyone in my city shouted my name and told me to go out there to try to compete against him, although it was a bad idea since my thumb is still hurting from being sliced on Saturday. However, after the talent show, I made a petition to host a Rubik’s Cube competition before Boys State Ended. Many people signed and I turned it into my counselor and he will bring it up to the Director of FALBS. I won’t know if my request will get accepted until the next day. For the winners of Boys State elections, all the Federalists won and not a single Nationalist was close for the Attorney General, which was down by less than 15 votes.
That night when we returned to our dorms, the Federalists were making fun of the Nationalists, which included me. I didn’t mind it that much because I already believed the Federalists would do better than the Nationalists. My roommate agreed not to not make fun of me for the party’s loss and I didn’t care about the loss. I went to bed at 12am. I tried sleeping at 11 but the moment I realized I will actually be able to go inside the Capitol building and do work like a Representative made me so excited. I just couldn’t wait.
Day 5: Thursday June 20th.
Thursday morning at around 5am, I left again to do the run. I was so exhausted that after running, I fell asleep, sleepwalking. I was woken up and got taken back right before I left the designated area. I kept trying to fight my sleep, wishing I didn’t leave the dorm. After I returned, I showered and got ready to go since I had no time to sleep more before going. I was suddenly awake when I remembered I was going to be able to go to the Capital later in the day and I was excited, making me feel wide awake again. Shortly after breakfast, we got seated at the basketball court where we took all our tests and lessons and some other things. The House and Assembly (Assembly is the alternative spot for House of Representatives if you don’t get elected for House) went to the capital where they got to visit the House Chamber and pass laws (I wasn’t sure what the Senate and the Forum, the alternative for Senate were doing). The Assembly was first, so the house went to the House Gallery. I took that as a good time to sleep because it was about an hour long, so I napped. I stayed awake, however, for the most important parts.
In the afternoon right after lunch, we went back to the Capital, which was a 20-minute walk. It was the House of Representatives turn. I spoke regularly so I can fight for or against the bills, depending on the bill. I was able to save a bill using the “Reconsider” Motion, which was to redo the last motion, which was to vote for my case, passing it to the Senate. I felt like I did a lot and I wanted to do more, only if there was more time. The counselor told me that the petition I made to host a Rubik’s Cube competition couldnot be fulfilled because the agenda was too full and there was no room to squeeze in the competition. It made me sad, but I fully understood.
Later that evening, right before the sun went down. My city and counselors were led by a student from FSU, showing us around the campus. FSU had many buildings, a giant library, a game area, swimmable fountains and deluxe dorms for more special students (staff too?) After about an hour of touring, we headed back to our dorms, had a city meeting and then I was given a special request by someone in my city. I was asked to sponsor the bill that he made since it passed the Senate. Unfortunately, I had to turn him down, telling him I am not good at sponsoring the type of bill he wants me to sponsor. Instead, I referred him to someone else that would do a much better job than me at sponsoring his bill. He thanked me for being humble and honest and went to the person I referred him to. I went to bed as early as possible, knowing tomorrow is the last full day of Boys State. I want to go home, but I didn’t want to let go of all the friendships I have made with the counselors and the other Delegates.
Day 6: Friday June 21st
I didn’t do the morning run this morning. I woke up at around 6:30 because I knew I needed as much rest as possible. I showered and got my dress suit ready to wear when I returned to the dorms. I am supposed to have an Awards Ceremony later that night. I went to eat breakfast and continue the day like normal.
Throughout the morning and afternoon, I took law classes and helped pass or destroy laws like I did the day before and had lunch in between. Around 4:30, we were sent to our dorms to rest a little bit before the Awards Ceremony. We rested a little more before our final council meeting before we headed off to the Tucker Center one last time. I asked my counselor for special permission to disappear a little so I can buy our city snacks and drinks and also to get souvenirs and he gave me permission.
I went off to hand the cashier 30$ to load a random box of random combinations of snacks and drinks. He understood immediately what I was doing so he helped with part of it (I thank him for that) and I headed upstairs to my floor as fast as I could. We had a meeting where the counselor asked how many people were leaving that night instead of the next morning. I will be staying the night. After we left for our dorms to get some rest, then change, I made an announcement to the city. I announced out loud “We know how today is the last full day of Boys State, right? (Everyone agreed). I know some of us are leaving tonight. I wanted to do this later, but some of you guys wouldn’t have a chance if I were to do it later tonight. So, I have something for you guys, give me a second.” As I turned around to get the box of snacks and drinks from the nearest table, everyone in my city was hyping me on and cheering me on. As soon as I went to grab the box and turned around, everyone shouted and applauded. I said to everyone to start with 1 so everyone can get one and then if they wanted, they could come for seconds. I have earned high respect from the delegates and the counselors in my city (I have 2, but 1 is a very busy one, but I don’t blame him [keep working hard!]) for they all have earned my respect and gratitude in many ways. Besides the Christian gathering I had on Monday; this was the most wholesome moment for me. Shortly after everyone got snacks and the ones who wanted seconds got seconds, I headed for my dorm to talk with my family. I am ready to finish the rest of my time at Boys State before it is time for me to go.
After spending time with my fellow “citizens”, I went off to get ready for the awards ceremony. I got dressed (in the pictures) and I prepared to head for the Tucker Center. I went with my city and counselors headed there. Upon getting there, we had one last meal at the Tucker Center. When I walked in, I felt like I just walked into a 2-Michelin Star Restaurant. The presentation was amazing, the food was 100x better (the normal food we had before this was decent), and we had real utensils (We normally use plastic plates and utensils). I ate like I was in Olive Garden (it felt weird to do that since I normally eat like if I am at a speed eating competition ). We had our awards after the food, and we headed back to our dorms for the last time. My roommate and I packed so he and I can do a sleepover at another dorm (It was 6 of us total). I said goodbye to everyone that was heading out before the night and got each other’s contacts (I didn’t get all of them, but I got a special few). We slept and we needed to get ready before 6am the next day.
Day 7: Saturday June 22nd
I have to wake up along with my group at 5:30am. We needed to be finished by 5:55, so I took my things, got showered and headed my way out. I got to make one more goodbye to everyone that had a meaningful impact on me (my entire city did in one way). I will see them again one day. I shed a few tears, but only a few because I knew I would be able to contact them in the future.
After leaving the dorm building at 6am, I went with my group that was riding my bus home. There I found all my friends I found from school. I have run into them before, but after that entire week, I had limited contact with them. But it’s alright, we all got to meet new friends and spend time together.
I got interviewed this morning, just like Sunday morning upon arriving. Sunday morning, I was asked my name and what I will be expecting upon being at Boys State. This morning, I was asked if I got what I expected being at the trip for Boys State. Here are my answers…
Sunday Morning: “What would be expected from Boys State?”
“I think I will have an amazing time getting to learn more things I wouldn’t have learned elsewhere, get to make long-lasting friendships and be able to change as a person.”
Saturday Morning: “Did you get what you were expecting at Boys State?”
“Yes and much more. I learned some lifelong skills that I was not only able to use for Boys State, but to also use it later in life. Boys State has changed me as a person, made many good friends and I learned a lot more about Florida than I could not have learned from anywhere else.”
3 minutes after the interview, my bus was ready to get loaded to head home. We are going back to the Legion Posts that we went to before heading to Boys State Saturday Night. It was a long ride, so I slept for a little bit and 4-5 hours later, I made it to my Legion Post. I said goodbye and thank you to the driver and I settled outside by the tables. I waited for a few and then my mother took me home.
I appreciated a lot of what Boys State has done for me even after the program. I appreciate all the things that the once-in-a-lifetime program has taught me. I thank my school for recommending me, especially the 2 teachers that told me about it. I thank my Legion Post for approving of me and I can’t thank you enough. And most importantly. Thank you, Boys State, for the many useful things in life that I would likely fall behind on if it wasn’t for you guys. Thank you, and this was my full experience at Boys State!
The American Legion Sends Well-Wishes to President Trump Condemns Violence Against Political Leaders
(INDIANAPOLIS –July 14, 2024) – American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer issued the following statement concerning the assassination attempt on former President Trump:
“The American Legion is deeply saddened about the attack on former President Trump and the shooting of innocent spectators. There is absolutely no justification for violence against any political leader. We are confident that an investigation will reveal any security deficiencies that have occurred but are also grateful for the quick reaction by the brave secret service agents who shielded the president to safety and neutralized the shooter. Our prayers are with President Trump and we wish him a full recovery. We also extend our condolences and prayers to the victims and families of all who have been impacted by this heinous act.”
Seehafer also added his expressed desire that Americans would unify in condemning the violence and tone down hateful rhetoric. “In addition to the shooting at the Trump rally, we have seen horrific attacks on Paul Pelosi, Rep. Steve Scalise and former Rep. Gabby Giffords. We should remind one another that political disagreements do not make us enemies. I pray that civility will become the norm in our discourse.”
‘A veteran is a veteran’
Washington and Florida are about as far apart as one can get in the continental United States.
But it didn’t take much effort from Darcy Bockman-Wright to convince Lisa Leathers to give up a week of her summer and fly across the country to join the staff at Florida American Legion Boys State (FALBS).
“When she heard the excitement in my voice about everything, she feels my passion and she wanted to share in this experience with me. It is a gift and a blessing to know that after 32 years, we still are battle buddies,” Bockman-Wright said.
“Long trip, but totally worth it,” Leathers said.
Bockman-Wright is FALBS’ marketing and communications chair. Leathers served as a counselor to the program’s press corps this year. And along with Department of Florida Programs Director Bekki Boarman, they’re a noticeable female presence on the FALBS staff.
It’s a role the women, all veterans and Legionnaires, welcome.
“When they get here and they get to meet all of us, especially the females, they get a different perspective (on what a veteran is),” Leathers said of the rising high school seniors that comprise the delegates at FALBS. “They get to realize that it’s a lot more diverse than that. In real life, they’re going to have female bosses, they’re going to have women that they’re working beside. So I do think it’s very important for them to see us in that way and get our perspective on what it was like to be in the military, what it’s like to be in government, what it’s like in the real world.”
FALBS Director Andy Satterlee said, “I want to get out specifically that the Legion is both women and men, and that they served together, and I want to show that positive impact to the delegates here so that they can recognize there’s a female portion of the Legion that served as well. …
“We need to recognize that a veteran is a veteran. It’s not just a male, it’s also females. Everyone is equal at Boys State, as I said in my opening speech.”
Satterlee called Boarman “the heart and soul of our program.”
“She’s the linchpin that gets the Legion in contact with us, helps administer our administration to Florida State University and the program itself, she sits with us on our board of directors as the secretary, so her input is extremely valuable. She has a voice with me, our program, the board of directors, and the Legion,” Satterlee said.
Boys State has become a passion for Bockman-Wright, who’s also a city counselor in addition to her marketing duties.
“Being retired and being in Florida, you’re supposed to be on the beaches and relaxing. Through the Legion, I’m involved in my post, I’m involved in my district as first vice commander. But Boys State has given me a passion. It gets me up out of bed on the days I don’t want to. I’m marching more than I think I ever did in the last couple years in the military,” she said. “I would do anything to get these boys up over that fence to the next obstacle, and better prepare them as better young men than they were when they got off the bus first thing in the morning on Sunday.”
Bockman-Wright said the impact goes both ways.
“I had a young man that got his Eagle Scout last year. And when he got his Eagle Scout and they put up the American flagpole and he stood there and saluted, he said, ‘Miss Darcy, I thought about you when I did it.’ And for all the female veterans that go into VA hospitals and are asked, ‘Where is your husband?’ time and time again, that was one point for us finally,” she said.
“We’re kind of sharing in those moments now, memory by memory with these young men, and that’s what makes it worthwhile every time we march up to the capitol and we sit in there watching them grow and develop, it’s very impactful. They inspire me to keep doing more because I know there’s more young men in Florida and throughout the country that need this program, and need more Legionnaires to be the boots on the ground doing what needs to be done.”
Leathers said she’d love to come back to serve on the FALBS staff and encouraged others to serve their Boys State programs.
“If you have a chance to support Boys State or be a part of it, I would 100 percent say please do it. Because we are building up our next generation,” she said. “And the example that we give them is going to have a huge influence on what they do in the future and who they become, where their values and morals come from. So if you can contribute at all in any way, do it.”
Troopers and title belts: the sights and sounds of Florida Boys State
Not long after the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) first took to the state’s roadways, a group of FHP troopers headed to Tallahassee for a week to support a fledgling program — Florida American Legion Boys State (FALBS).
It certainly helped that the FHP was established by former Department of Florida Commander Neil Kirkman. Eight decades later, FHP troopers are still a key part of the program.
“It helps us in several different ways” to have them here, said FALBS Director Andy Satterlee, himself a sergeant with the Cape Coral Police Department. “The relationship between Florida Highway Patrol and the Legion staying that history connection. Secondfold is, the youth of today, some positive influence and impact with law enforcement in general. So it’s not all negative; they have questions or experiences they’ve heard of, they’re right there.”
“Thirteen troopers from all over the state have volunteered their time to be away from their families over Father’s Day to join you this week. These troopers have dedicated their time to you,” FHP Director Col. Gary Howze told the Boys State delegates during an assembly.
Among those troopers was FHP emergency operations coordinator Capt. Derrick Rahming.
“Sometimes when we meet (young people), we meet them in unfortunate circumstances. But when we get to talk to them in this positive atmosphere, it gives us a chance to actually be one-on-one. I don’t call myself captain when I’m here, I call myself Derrick and ask them to do the same. I want to know them, I want them to know me,” Rahming said.
Rahming acknowledged it’s competitive to get the Boys State assignment.
“When those delegates come here, they’re getting the sharpest troopers that we have as part of this program,” said Rahming, who’s served on the staff 16 of the past 18 years. “When I see all those (Boys Staters in) red shirts come into the Capitol and they get to see what we do on a day-to-day basis to get things done in the state of Florida, just means the world to me. This program is awesome.”
‘A week that shapes a lifetime’
Several FALBS staff and guests who are alumni of the program shared their thoughts on how their time as a delegate influenced them.
“It made a huge difference. I didn’t have any understanding of government or an interest in that, and I found I’ve spent my entire 30-plus-year career in public service in various roles,” said Florida 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Clay Roberts, who attended FALBS and American Legion Boys Nation in 1982. “My legal career throughout the state, lots of times I would show up for a hearing in front of a judge and counsel on the other side would be someone I knew from Boys State.”
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey attended FALBS and has served as a counselor in past years. In accepting a banner from the program commemorating Tallahassee’s 200th anniversary, he said, “Thirty-four years ago I participated as a delegate … in this amazing program, Boys State.”
Satterlee “had so much fun” as a delegate in 1995 despite losing several races before being elected to the House of Representatives.
“So the next year, I saw that the Legion had asked if anyone would like to come back as a counselor, and I applied, and Director George Wehrli said yes. I came back as a counselor, and I was able to serve as a city counselor, and the city counselor is the core, that’s the hands-on with your individual cities. They take your personality on, but you’re also able to step back and watch them actually run it,” Satterlee said. “To me, that made a huge impact. I was actually able to go to college on a military scholarship, and at college, I had several people on my campus that attended Boys State as well, and they had the same experience.”
“Before I went to Boys State and Boys Nation, I was a page in Congress for a year,” said morale officer Bob Knight, a 1974 alum of FALBS and Boys Nation. “And so that gave me even another boost up to understand Washington. But it was life changing. I mean, when I went to Boys State, I really didn’t know which college I wanted to go to. Boys State and Boys Nation defined those decisions. And even as I came back and my second and third and fourth year, there was still a very heavy influence on me and my future. Because of this program; I owe everything to this program.”
And 2024 FALBS Governor Terry Shen was thankful even before his week was complete.
“As I look around this room, I truly see a close family. A family that will stick together because we are the 80th anniversary of Florida American Legion Boys State,” Shen said after his inauguration.
Honoring those who served
Even with the program’s emphasis on the political process, FALBS didn’t forget to thank those who made it all possible.
Shen and his cabinet braved the torrid Florida sun for a brief afternoon service at the Florida Veterans World War II Memorial across the street from the capitol. And all of FALBS gathered in the House chambers Friday morning for a memorial service.
The program’s cities also put together care packages to send to troops stationed overseas.
All in good fun
In an effort to add a little something extra to the rivalry between the political parties, this year’s session featured some bonus accessories for the party chairs — a replica championship belt for the party with the most success in the elections, and fluffy unicorn hats for the other party.
The Federalists left 2024 with the belt and bragging rights after a sweep of the state-level elections.
Weekly Reports -Final 2023-2024
LEGION REPORTS
Florida Boys State embraces innovation while maintaining tradition
In the midst of its own bicentennial, Tallahassee, Fla., welcomed a gift from a longtime resident of the city.
Every session of Florida American Legion Boys State (FALBS) has taken place in the state’s capital city, and with this year’s session being FALBS’ 80th, it seemed only fitting to find a way to commemorate both milestones.
“We made this banner that everyone could sign,” said FALBS morale officer and former assistant director Bob Knight. The 450-some delegates to FALBS 2024 signed the banner, as did program staff, and Knight, FALBS Director Andy Satterlee, FALBS Marketing and Communications Chair Darcy Bockman-Wright, 2023 FALBS Governor Martin Seals and 2024 delegate Issa Allison — a native of Tallahassee — presented the banner to Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and the city commission at a June 19 city commission meeting.
“The city of Tallahassee will be hanging it the rest of this year in the chambers of the city commission, which there are no other banners in there. So we’re very honored to be a part of that,” Knight said.
The banner presentation is reflective of the program’s embrace of tradition while also pursuing innovative ways to carry FALBS forward and grow its footprint.
Bockman-Wright’s committee is one of those innovations for the program.
“(Social media) has brought a lot more kids to the table, but we’re also getting a lot more older delegates that have forgotten about the program and realize it’s still going on, and we can use the support,” she said. “With the alumni foundation we’re starting in Florida, it would be great to go ahead and get some of those older delegates.
“If you’re a member of the Florida American Legion Boys State, reach out to us on social media, we’ll get you hooked up with where we are. We need that alumni association throughout the United States to connect and wear those buttons proud and shirts and everything else,” she added.
Satterlee acknowledged “the program has to start developing for the future.” In addition to social media campaigns and promotional videos, volunteer staff are developing apps to streamline the Boys State process.
“There is an app for counselors themselves, that has everything. When the boys get off the bus, we can check them in, we can update anything instantaneously, and we can push our schedule, if a guest speaker comes in we can change things immediately. That’s our next step is to get an app for the boys on the other side,” Satterlee said.
“The real big part is the counselor corps created this. Instead of having to spend money, they donated their time, they donated their wisdom in this, and they’ve created it themselves.”
Knight has also been part of that innovation, starring in the program’s promotional videos.
“We’ve been making them for a couple of years, but last year we took it to a more professional level,” Knight said. “And the reason is, because we realized, and we were told directly, that people never see Boys State unless you’re here at Boys State. You don’t have any idea what it looks like to see these boys sitting in those seats in the legislature. … So we said, let’s show the world.”
With the videos, Knight said the program is trying to reach Legionnaires “so that they know what they’re paying for and so that they’ll send us more boys” and the press.
“The press needs to know these are the leaders of our state, even though they only happen to be 17, 18, they are leaders now. And so wouldn’t you like to know what the leaders of the youth think?” Knight said.
The program is also showing the world what it’s doing through Facebook Live streams of various events during the week, including the election results for state office and the memorial service FALBS holds in the House chambers at the state capitol. This year, the program also used technology to interact with other Boys State programs.
“We reached out to Washington Boys State and we asked to do a livestream with them so that Florida Boys State could say hello. We were able to do that and they were able to stream back to us,” Satterlee said. “Right after that, we had Maryland Boys State do the exact same thing. We were able to get a recording as well to Virginia Boys State.”
Even with the innovations, though, tradition remains a powerful component of the week. As they’ve done every year since FALBS’ first session, troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol volunteer on staff. The governor, Supreme Court and other statewide elected officials take the oath of office at the state capitol just blocks from FALBS’ home on the Florida State University campus.
“Before I swore the officers in, one of the young men asked me how much Boys State has changed since 1982,” said Judge Clay Roberts of the Florida 1st District Court of Appeals, a 1982 FALBS and Boys Nation alum who returns each year to swear in the program’s elected officials. “Remarkably it hasn’t changed very much at all.
“You know, you hear in the news, you hear about young people, how they don’t care about service to their country, they don’t care about service to their state, and you come and see this group of 500 young men and you say, ‘No, there are still young men that are just like the young men that I went through it with in 1982, that are now leaders at all levels in the state and nation.’”
Weekly Reports for June 27, 2024
Weekly Reports for June 20, 2024
Weekly Reports for June 6, 2024
Donald G. Murphy
With deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of Past 8th District Commander Donald G. Murphy of Sarasota, Florida. Donald passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Murphy, and is survived by his daughter, Shawn White, and son, David Murphy.
The viewing will be held on Sunday, June 9th, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL. Interment will take place at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241, on Monday, June 10th, at 2:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at the VFW Post 3233, 124 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237.
Donald, a Korean War Era Veteran, proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a dedicated member of the American Legion for 37 continuous years and a member of Sarasota Post 30. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 1996-1997, District Vice Commander from 1998-1999, and District Commander from 2001-2002.
Please keep Donald’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Weekly Reports for May 30, 2024
Weekly Reports for May 23, 2024
Renton, Wash. Homeschooled Student Wins American Legion Oratoricals Earns $25K Scholarship, National Championship
HILLSDALE. Mich. (May 19, 2024) – A home-schooled high school sophomore from Renton, Wash., capped a busy weekend of competition by earning a $25,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Aubrey Jane Moore’s winning prepared oration was titled “Why Freedom of Speech is in Danger.”
Moore started the weekend as one of 52 state or department champions in the 85th annual contest. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. She was sponsored by American Legion Post 186 in Seattle.
Knox Andrew Boyd, a senior from Lafayette, Ind., earned a $22,500 college scholarship with a second-place finish, while David Eugene Daniel a 12th grader from Owensboro, Ky., earned $20,000 and third place in the competition. The scholarships account for a small portion of post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.
In her prepared oration, Moore opened with a series of statements from gun policy to immigration that can be considered controversial. “Throughout American history, all kinds of opinions, thoughts and beliefs have been voiced no matter the sentiment because whether or not you approve or hate what I say, you must support my right to say it,” she explained. “This is the power of free speech. And yet in recent years, we have seen a pushback on this fundamental right.”
In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The nearly 1.6-million-member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded over the history of the contest.
Weekly Reports May 16, 2024
Robert “Porky” Verrastro
Robert “Bob” Andrew Verrastro, 71, of Boynton Beach, FL (and formerly of Wilton, CT and Stamford, CT), passed away on May 13, 2024. He was predeceased by his father Vito Verrastro and sister Maryann Verrastro. He is survived by his mother Rose Verrastro, sister Donna Gallo, wife Barbara Verrastro, son Alan Verrastro and his wife Suzanne and their children (Chevy, Corbin, and Cruze), son Scott Verrastro, and daughter Krista Verrastro.
Bob was a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and the Sons of American Legion as well as a parishioner of St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach. He loved nature, hiking, walking on the beach, kayaking, spelunking, motorcycles, traveling, having adventures, lending a hand to both those he loved and those he didn’t know who were in need, and watching Leave It to Beaver morning reruns. He was a good example of “dad humor”, was the kind of guy who had many childhood friends ’til the day he died, and the kind of guy who continued to do taxes for his loved ones long after he retired from being a professional accountant.
Friends may call on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the Lorne & Sons Funeral Home, 745 NE 6th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483. A funeral Mass and burial will be held in Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to VetsVille, which was a place very important to Bob. Click here to make a contribution to VetsVille.
Richard Boss
We regret to inform you, Richard Boss, former commander of Post 64 in Okeechobee, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024. We do not have any further details at this time.
Verna Y. Joyce
With deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of Past Western Area Commander Verna Y. Joyce of Navarre, Florida. Verna passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the age of 79. Verna was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Jesse Edwin Joyce. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Roberts, son James Joyce; two grandchildren, Stephanie Swisher and Samual Joyce; and three great-grandchildren, Jessamyn, Jackson, and June Swisher.
Verna will be laid to rest alongside Jesse at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be announced. Any updates regarding arrangements will be communicated via email and posted on the Department’s website.
Verna, a Vietnam War Era Veteran, proudly served in the U.S. Army for 14 years. She also served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 18 continuous years and was a member of Milton Post 78. She held various leadership positions throughout her membership, including Post Commander from 2009-2011, District Commander from 2012-2013, and Western Area Commander from 2013-2015. On a National level, Verna served on the Conventional Armed Forces Committee from 2013-2019.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through her daughter, Lisa Roberts, at 517 SW South Carolina Drive, Stuart, FL 34994.
Please keep Verna’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
The American Legion Announces Recipients of 4th Estate Journalism Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2024) – A Minneapolis television station and a Kentucky newspaper will receive American Legion Fourth Estate Awards during the 105th National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization in New Orleans on August 29.
The Fourth Estate Award has been presented annually by The American Legion since 1958 for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism. Nominations in 2024 were considered in broadcast and print categories. They were selected by the organization’s Media & Communications Commission during its meeting in Indianapolis last week.
Taking top honor in the broadcast category is KARE. In its series, “Broken Promises,” the NBC affiliate examined the high rate of denials veterans received when applying for benefits after examinations from one particular neurologist at the VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisc. Investigative reporter A.J. Lagoe exposed a system in which 649 claims denied by Dr. Mary Jo Lanska were later reversed. Some of the claims included veterans diagnosed with serious illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. The denials led to an apology to the veterans by Secretary of Veteran Affairs Denis McDonough. Lanska was also removed as an examiner. KARE and Lagoe were previously recognized with a Fourth Estate Award in 2018.
The Courier Journal of Louisville, Ky. is being recognized for its 2023 series “Safer Sidelines, which explored the many ways high schools, athletic associations and lawmakers have failed to prepare for worst-case scenarios of sudden deaths on athletic fields. Lead reporter Stephanie Kuzydym built a searchable “deadly games” database, which includes more than 100 years of such incidents.
“I am looking forward to presenting KARE and the Courier Journal with their well-deserved Fourth Estate Awards,’ said Daniel J. Seehafer, national commander of The American Legion. “The American Legion is extremely appreciative of the importance of a free and independent media. As veterans, we defended the freedoms guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution. Our Fourth Estate winners represent the best in their field. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting but have had a positive impact on society.”
Previous winners of the award include CNN, CBS, USA Today, ABC News, C-SPAN, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Life Magazine, among others.