As an organization dedicated to God and country, with a membership of military veterans that takes deep pride in the U.S. flag and all it means, The American Legion has always been a stalwart champion of patriotism, morality & citizenship. The Legion is devoted to law & order, the raising of wholesome youth, respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances, education and law-abiding citizenship.​

The Boys State program was originally a concept created by Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card.  In 1935, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Card were concerned about a project underway at the time called “Young Pioneer Camps.”  This camp was promoted by the Communist Party as a way to show the uselessness of Democracy and advocate the virtues of Communism. These men felt that a counter-movement should be started among the ranks of the nation’s youth to stress the importance and value of our democratic form of government and maintain an effort to preserve it.