On Saturday, members of the Price American Legion Auxiliary enjoyed a beautiful day standing next to the Legion Post Three headquarters gathering a load of food for the Carbon County Food Bank. They were helped by the legion and worked to fill up the food bank’s van.
The Price American Legion currently has 109 members. Helper also has a post, but it is not as robust. To be a member of the legion, one must have served in the military as active duty during a time of war or military conflict. Both men and women can be members of the American legion.
The group meets twice a month, but also participates as honor guards at funerals. They also help at school, scouting, political and other events as needed. Their biggest impact is sponsoring boys to go to Boy’s State.
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for US high school students. A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government, Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Participation in Utah Boys State is open to young men, based on availability, who maintain good citizenship and are in good academic standing. A student can only attend Boys State during the summer between his junior and senior year of high school. Further information regarding attendance at Utah Boys State can be obtained from the respective high school counselor or local American legion post.
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, nearly one million young people have had the opportunity to learn first-hand how their state and local government works.
High school girls, who have completed their junior year, spend an intensive week of study. They work together as self-governing citizens at auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs in every state (with the exception of Hawaii). In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American legion post, a local business or another community-based organization.
The Price American Legion Auxiliary has 57 members as part of its group. To be a member of the auxiliary, one must have a family member who has served in the military during time of war or conflict.
Ongoing fundraising provides money to sponsor local students each year to attend both Boys and Girls State. For more information about Girls or Boys State, or to join the auxiliary or legion, contact Lenda Leek at 650-4398.