Chris "Hunter S." Thompson

By Chris Thompson

Friday morning, Boys’ State heard the last speakers of the year. Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani is NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation as well as the number two most important military person in the United States. Giambastiani spoke about his experiences in the Naval Academy and Navy. He emphasized four qualities that he deems most important in life – confidence, competence, integrity, and stamina.
His speech ended with a kind remark to the crowd – “I wish you all the best, I wish you all success.”
Joe Griffo was the second speaker. He engaged the audience by asking about various places and sports teams from around New York State. Griffo encouraged Boys’ Staters to engage themselves in politics, and discussed several issues that effect citizens of New York, such as Native American casinos and military base closings.
Bob Neville spoke third. He talked about Suffolk county, as well as giving a shout-out to Dr. Nick Sallese. Neville gave Boys’ State delegates a hopeful message for the future, saying, “The future is yours.” He also commented on flag burning, specifically, how you shouldn’t do it.
Major Jodie Minks briefly spoke about the Air Force Academy. She taunted the crowd by first claiming that she would talk about sex, a claim that she would quickly renege. She pointed out that less than 5% of people who join the Air Force actually fly anything.
Dr. Nick Sallese ended the assembly with another of his inspiring poems about our nation’s flag. He also stated his hopes that the audience members “remember all of those wonderful things that happened this week at Boys State.”