Comrades,
Being Post Commander can be a daunting job, but it can also expose you to parts of this organization that makes everything worthwhile. Over the years, representing this Post has been an honor for both Cheryl and I, it has given us opportunities that we probably wouldn’t have had under different circumstances.
This week has been a busy one, starting with Monday night we attended the Boys and Girls State dinner in Newport Beach. There were over 250 people in attendance, 78 of them were Boys and Girls State Delegates (5 of which were ours) and the rest were parents and other Post representatives. The young Men and Women that have been chosen as Delegates this year are to say the least exceptional individuals, the cream of the crop. For over 10 years we have been interviewing Delegates for this program and not once have we been disappointed with the students that we have interviewed. It is uplifting knowing that there is still hope for this country.
Boys State, as it has been historically called since it began in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps (now called Boys and Girls State; only in CA.). At Boys State, 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. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law- enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.
When given the opportunity to speak to the Delegates and their parents, it came to me that in expressing how pleased we were with our chosen Delegates, we have left out an important detail. We have forgotten to thank the parents for the job they have done raising these Delegates, it can’t be an easy task now a days. As a parent, I know how much goes into raising good kids and how, in some respects, it’s nothing but a crapshoot.
Tuesday was another day I look forward to once a year for over 10 years I have presented the Legion School Award to two 8th graders at Oak Middle School and McAuliffe Middle School. The award is presented to one young Man and one Young Lady that exhibit the qualities of good Citizenship: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. This year I didn’t present at Oak Middle School, allowing Bryan Bell and Roger Haag (he had his son in the proceedings) and intern passing the torch to the new incoming officers of the Post. I did, however, present at McAuliffe Middle School, perhaps for the last time. Again, I was honored to represent Post 716 in presenting the award to Gillian Willis and Jack Smith, both of which exemplify all of the traits that we cherish and encourage as Legionnaires.
Wednesday was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity, I was invited to attend a luncheon with the South Korean Delegation. This delegation of six were here from Seoul, South Korea to present awards to surviving Korean and American Veterans of the Korean War. The President of the Korean Veterans Association, Mr. Shinn (National Commander) was here to make a presentation at the Korean War Memorial in Fullerton, he was joined by a delegation of highly decorated Korean Veterans and the South Korean Vice President was the presenter.
When I received the invitation, I envisioned an entire Banquet Hall, with many high ranking past and present Department officers and that I would be stuck in a corner, somewhere out of the way. As I entered the room, I was delighted to see no more than 50 attendees and I wasn’t stuck in the corner, instead I was right up front. You would have to be familiar with how events are coordinated by the Legion in order to understand my apprehension of even attending. What the size of the crowd made obvious was that the event was only attended by individuals considered by the Department as notable Legionnaires. To be in attendance with the Department Commander and other key representatives of the Department of California, as well as other Post and District Commanders was by all estimations an honor.
The goal was to encourage the partnership between the Korean veteran’s association and the American Legion, the visit was very successful in establishing this relationship. It has been an honor for Cheryl and I to represent this post during these events over the past 15 years, National Commander visits, Dignitaries visiting from other countries, working on the Legion Float in the Rose Parade, are just a few of the events we were privileged to attend. I would say that out of all of them, our involvement with Boys and Girls State and the experiences that have come from that are some of our favorites.
Thank you to all our members for helping to make this Post, a Post worthy of supporting. James Eubanks, Commander 2015 – 19 & 2023 – 24
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