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2008-2009 Patriot's Pen first place winner, Julia Benbrook, accepts a $10,000 savings bond, presented by VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner and Ladies Auxiliary President, Dixie Hild. |
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2009-2010 Theme
"When is the Right Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?"
Entry Deadline
Nov. 1, 2009
Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010. The Patriot's Pen program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to express their opinions based on an annual theme.
Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
For more information contact VFW National Headquarters or your local VFW Post.
Student Information:
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. If you can't find a local VFW Post contact VFW State Headquarters.
You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. Mail entry form and essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.
*Historically, the theme (annually chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief) is purposely kept broad in scope to allow the participant flexibility in interpretation to encourage originality. Since the VFW is a patriotic organization, the annual theme always will be related to patriotism.
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