Tar Heel Boys' State is sponsored by The American Legion Department of North Carolina. It is an intense workshop concentrating on North Carolina state government and politics. Some 500 rising high school seniors representing all geographic areas of North Carolina participate annually in this program. Since 2003 the sessions have been held on the campus of Catawba College, Salisbury, NC The American Legion believes there is no better way to assure the survival of our great republic than to train our young people in the ideals and objectives of American government. By teaching the youth of our state and nation to understand and appreciate the basic principles involved in the successful management of a democratic society, we can keep America strong and ensure freedom for future generations. Tar Heel Boys' State teaches the preservation of our form of government that depends on intelligent, informed and loyal citizens in combination with government activities.
Objectives of the program are:
 To improve citizenship for present and future generations of Tar Heels
 To become familiar with the structure of North Carolina government and its political process using the LEARN TODAY TO LEAD TOMORROW concept of instruction
 To develop civic leadership and pride in American citizenship
 To arouse a keen interest in the detailed study of our government
 To develop in the young citizens of Boys' State the full understanding of our American traditions and beliefs in the United States of America
 To arouse in the young citizens a determination to maintain our form of government
 To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation
 To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy These objectives are reached through the two-fold process of classroom lectures and role-playing. Upon arrival at Boys State the delegates are assigned to one of 2 imaginary political parties, the "Federalists" or the "Nationalists". Membership in these parties forms the core of the educational experience. Classroom instruction is provided on subjects such as law, civil service and election procedure. Other special "schools" are held prior to elections to inform candidates of
the duties of the office they seek and after election to cover how the elected officers and appointees can carry out their duties. All citizens of Boys State receive instruction in Parliamentary Procedure. As members of these political parties the "citizens" of Boys State hold party caucuses and conventions, develop party platforms, hold voter registration drives, nominate candidates, hold election campaigns for local and state offices and hold actual elections for those offices. After election, the elected officers, appointees and citizen staff members actually perform some of the functions of their office. Operation of courts and the development and passage of legislation are learning activities that serve as major educational components of the program. Members of the state legislature, with the help of their "staffs" develop and introduce bills into congress. Once introduced, these bills are debated and voted upon. Two of the young men are selected as national Senators and later are sent to Washington, DC where they participate in the national American Legion program, Boys Nation. Delegates to Tar Heel Boys' State must be sponsored by a North Carolina American Legion Post. While other organizations may propose students for participation in the program and provide the tuition, the student must be interviewed, approved and sponsored by an American Legion post. The sponsoring post will assume the responsibility for the delegate’s attendance, signed medical form, essay, and transportation to and from Catawba College and tuition fees.

Newton Post 16 spent time today compiling a list of restaurants in this area who are having FREE meals for veterans, what day and other details. We verified this directly with the restaurants:

Krispy Kreme Doughnut: Any military ID or proof of service, active duty included. 1 doughnut & 1 small coffee. All day on Saturday 11-11-2017.

Golden Corral: Full buffet meal no restrictions. Any military ID or proof of service. Normal business hours. Monday 11- 13-2017. Normal business hours.

Applebee’s: Select Veterans Menu (pay for your drink). ID required( dd214, American Legion Card, VFW Card, Active Duty ID, Retired ID, disabled vet ID, pay stub, in uniform, citation of any kind. They will also feed any “Gold Star Parents” . Normal business hours.

Outback Steakhouse: A blooming onion with free non alcoholic drink. Saturday 11-11-2017 Also from 11-12-2017 through 1-02-2018 Veterans or active duty with ID will get 20% off their meals with ID.

Chili’s: Free Meal from select menu Saturday 11-11-2017. Any military ID.

Olive Garden: Free meal from select menu or call to carry out from select menu and pick up. Any military ID. Saturday 11-11-2017.

Texas Roadhouse: Full service honor guard presentation by St Stevens JROTC at 10:35 a.m. Limited menu free meal from 11 am until 2 pm. Any vet arriving by 2 pm will be served.

O’Charleys has free veterans meal off their $9.99 menu FREE with any ID on Saturday 11-11-2027 all day.

Bojangles, Hardee’s & Western Steer has their everyday 10% off for Veterans 365 days a year.

*Limited menu means meals are restricted to certain items and prices. Also note that that all free meals are not on November 11, 2017. One is on Monday 11-13-2017. All these details were given to me directly by the Restaurants listed. If there are other Restaurants who want their information confirmed and published on Newton Post 16 American Legion Facebook and website please contact Vice Commander Ron Harris at legionpost16@att.net. Only Veterans are allowed free meals. Other family members including children must pay.

Please share so all local Vets can see details.

American Legion Post 16 supports "Make A Wish Foundation". Please send your contributions to Newton Post 16, P.O. Box 143, Newton, NC 28658 by the middle of April 2019. Make your check payable to "The Make A Wish Foundation" and we will ensure it gets to the right place.