PATRIOTS PEN

PATRIOT'S PEN

 

 

Patriot's Pen


 

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Before submitting your essay, download the 2024-2025 entry form here and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. 

The 2024-25 theme is: 
"My Voice in America's Democracy?"

 


WHO CAN ENTER:
The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8 (on the October 31 deadline) who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

Students can as a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then students can contact a local participating VFW Post and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or its Auxiliary.