Hetuck 2019 Saturday Edition

Volume 81, Issue 6

2019 Boys State Wrap-Up

By Dustin Kirtley

As American Legion Buckeye Boys State 2019 comes to an end, the delegates reflect on the ideas and lessons learned while attending the program. Each individual can appreciate the experience in their own unique way, understanding that they gave their best effort in their respective positions. Throughout the week, delegates had the opportunity to soak in countless lessons from very prominent people that gave their time to be in attendance and speak. NFL Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau, Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine were just a few of the influential individuals to attend. The messages they gave were laced with valuable advice that delegates can carry with them throughout the remainder of their lives, ultimately laying a foundation for the young men in attendance to intelligently shape their futures.

Once the week is over and delegates travel back to their hometown lives, everyone can be confident in the fact that we as a group have grown in immeasurable ways. Counselors and Legionnaires helped to create an environment of cooperation and good will among peers. Learning from Justice Kennedy, delegates were able to set high goals for themselves and recognize the importance of democracy in government. Each person was able to fill their roles at a high level, contributing to the operation of the state in an educated manner. By holding themselves and others to a high standard, delegates were able to experience accomplishments they never thought possible prior to the program.

Friday, June 14th, 2019

Looking back at the memories and people that filled this past week, delegates and leaders alike can be grateful for the amazing relationships that were created. As the years pass, no one will be quick to forget the smiles, laughter and brotherly love that was shared.

At the program’s conclusion, everyone in attendance can sympathize with the words from Dick LeBeau. “Well that was pretty dang good!”

History and Importance of Flag Day

By Gabe Wagner

June 14th was an important holiday, Flag Day. Flag Day is such a crucial American holiday, but sadly, not many of today's citizens fully understand its importance or even its meaning. A celebration like Flag Day is what brings great pride in our country, and honors the so popular American flag. Flag Day was enacted in order to celebrate the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777. When our founding fathers adopted the American flag, they didn’t immediately make a holiday.

It wasn’t until 1916 when Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation to create Flag Day on June 14. Wilson thought of the idea to unite Americans during WWI and create a new wave of patriotism. Wilson’s idea didn’t become official until August 3rd, 1949 when Congress established the holiday. Congress did this ironically for the same reasons as Wilson. Congress was looking to unify America after WW2 and combat the seemingly imminent threat of communism. Flag Day being

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officially established was loved by American citizens. This is proven by extravagant parades put on in cities like Troy, New York which still continue today.

Throughout the years of America’s existence, the flag has been a symbol for hope, freedom, democracy and many other great values which makes America what it is today.

To other countries, the American flag was a sign of protection and freedom. Whether countries be under attack from brutal militias, corrupt government, devastating wars or need to emigrate to a more secure place, they turned to the American flag for relief and safety.

Without Flag Day, America would be a very different country. Let's all take time every June 14th and commemorate our great flag and what it represents.

Cities and counties working hard to capture the honor flag Photo by Andrew Fogt

Important Guests of American Legion Buckeye Boys State

By Jack Treinish III

William P. Conley II was the keynote speaker for the first evening program. Conley is an Ohio State Senator for district four. He spoke of the big things in his career, working in the casinos and battling the drug crisis of Ohio. Then, he shifted toward the smaller

things: the ice cream socials with younger kids and meeting the mother of two drug-addicted teenagers. He said the small things in life are the ones that matter; it’s all about the relationships. Senator Conley was accompanied on stage by the Mayor of Oxford, Kate Rousemaniere, and Miami University President Dr. Gregory P. Crawford. Both were very pleased to host Buckeye Boys State.

On Monday, there was an induction into the Buckeye Boys State Hall of Fame.

NFL Football Player, Coach, and Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau attended Boys State in 1954. He played football for The Ohio State Buckeyes and continued to the NFL where he played for the Detroit Lions. He then coached multiple teams and won two super bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. LeBeau had one message for the delegates, to never give up.

LeBeau was followed by Ohio State Treasurer, Robert Sprague.

Due to citizens starting jobs and orientations, there were no major speakers or an evening program on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Buckeye Boys State had the pleasure of hosting Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy. Before judicial services, she was a police officer for the Hamilton Police Department. Judge Kennedy swore in all state elected officials to begin the evening program. She then delivered an amazing speech to the delegates about setting goals for themselves. She also talked about the balance of government and the importance of everyone who partakes in it.

Thursday’s evening program was the Highway Patrol’s memorial service. The special guest was Butler County Commissioner T.C. Rogers. Trooper Hertlein delivered the service assisted by other members of the Highway Patrol. The key speaker was Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Sheldon Goodrum. Goodrum was a Boys State delegate and Ohio State graduate. He spoke about the five minutes to life program, which deals with the abuse of prescription drugs.

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Friday was Flag Day. Delegates were able to witness how to properly dispose of an American flag and the speaker was retired chief counselor Carmen Scott.

On Saturday, the last day for evening program, Boys State hosted special guests Katy Heciel who’s President of Ohio American Legion Auxiliary, Bernie Kessler who serves as Detachment Commander for the Sons of the American Legion and Boys Nation Director Tyler Mitchell.

Sunday morning was graduation day for delegates of American Legion Buckeye Boys State. Lieutenant John Miller, Navy Warfare Development Command of the United States Navy, spoke to the delegates.

The Cash Catastrophe

By Logan Davis

Geno Gallo is a County Commissioner, which means that he’s one of three signatures needed to authorize the payroll. This money would roll out to the entire White county, encompassing four different cities and amounting to around 150 citizens receiving their hard-earned funds. The delegates of White county spent Thursday penniless, as they didn’t receive their hard-earned funds.

Two of the signatures were easily obtained, as both the officials were in their offices, but Geno was working elsewhere.

It doesn’t need to be said then that the citizens missing their payroll were not happy.

Many were actively chanting for Geno’s punishment, as at the time they couldn’t pay the $1,800 bill that had just been handed to them for the gas, electrical and sanitary costs. There have also been unconfirmed rumors that if you don’t pay the utility bill by the end of Friday, the sheriff and his deputies will get a search warrant and confiscate your bed.

However, Geno had a very different opinion of what went down. “The entire situa-

tion is vastly misconstrued, and is simply a miscommunication issue,” he said after being asked what he had to say about the entire thing. “It began with preexisting aggression from the other cities of White County, and a little miscommunication on the part of the attorneys,” he continued.

When asked about the situation’s current progress, he said that “The issue has already been resolved. I’ve signed the budgets, and have also signed the payroll forms for the rest of the cities. I will continue to execute my job to the best of my ability, and will try to resolve any future problems as best as I can.”

From this, it seems that Geno has been given a bad rep, and in his closing statements, he said this: “I would like to say that the people against me are not precisely aware of the facts, and a lot of what they know and have said has been falsified.”

Surprisingly, Geno also wished to let everyone know that not only are the allegations of his negligence incorrect, but also that he will “seek to prosecute anyone who spoke falsely of me, or made otherwise degrading statements.” Overall, it seems as though many of the rumors about the Commissioner have been exaggerated, or outright fabricated. If you pass by him, perhaps you should bury the hatchet and give Geno another chance.

“Tax Day” political cartoon by Nevada Lowden

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The Reprehension of Secession

By Jay Aaron

Throughout the week of American Legion Buckeye Boys State the conspicuous theme is stated numerous times. Togetherness, dedication and trust are stressed as some of the most important aspects of teamwork that the cities, counties and the whole state has to go through to make the entire week work smoothly.

These groups have bonded through the countless hours of work, relaxing, eating and spending time with one another. Yet, the temptation to be unique is ever so strong within the program. Delegates’ attempts to stand out from a group are viewed as overbearing and excessive.

In this year’s case, whole counties have tried their best to make a name for themselves. Munson county, which include the cities of Estepp, Zulch and Garrity, have taken their chances at trying to secede from the state created by the program. After carefully scanning the Constitution, many of the young men living in the county believed that they found a loophole that allowed them to successfully break away.

Readers may be asking themselves “Why would they try to attempt this?” Theoretically, secession would mean that they could potentially create all of their own rules on their terms. They would automatically become dependent on themselves for jobs, political and daily routines, and “funding.”

The only problem with the idea of secession is that the vote to secede must be unanimous. The city of Estepp made their opinion known that they refuse to take part in the other cities’ plans. Zulch and Garrity wanted to take themselves out of the bond created by the American Legion nonetheless.

Rule makers and counselors have taken a stern

stand that secession is not allowed in the program under any circumstance, but the rebellious actions that were attempted do raise some questions.

Is rallying two whole cities to secede a true demonstration of teamwork? Was the dedication of their actions following the theme of what the program gives each delegate? What could all these young men do if all this effort was put to a real cause? Though the secession did not take place, the questions that were left in its tracks may influence Buckeye Boys State for years to come.

Political Cartoons

“Dine & Dash” cartoon by James Koehler Jr.

“Not Again” cartoon(down) by Nevada Lowden