KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has announced the winners of the 2024 National Publications Contest. More than six years ago, the contest changed significantly to encourage more participation. This created two new categories: Best Magazine and Best Feature Article. This year’s competition retained those changes.
Two non-VFW-affiliated journalism professionals served as judges for the competition. This is designed to guarantee impartiality and objectivity in the judging. To reiterate, VFW staffers play no part in judging the entries.
The winning publications in each category are:
Best Magazine
Grand Award:
California Veteran
Rodger Meier, Editor
Silver Award:
N/A
Best Feature Article
Grand Award:
“Mama Bear”
Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Illinois VFW News
Department of Illinois
Silver Award:
“Flag Finds Way Back to Alachua County VFW Post 2811”
Michael P. Mauer, Alachua County Today
Department of Florida
Bronze Award:
“Shared Link to The Past”
Sara Jane Ruggles, The Coeur d’Alene Press
Department of Idaho
Department Publications
Large Frequency (printed 5+ times per year)
Grand Award:
Illinois VFW News
Barb Wilson, Editor
Small Frequency (printed 1-4 times per year)
Grand Award:
Wisconsin VFW News
Marla J. Morgan, Editor
Silver Award:
Louisiana Combat Veteran
Mitchell Cota, Editor
Bronze Award:
Pennsylvania VFW News
David Gyger, Editor
District/Post Publications
Large Frequency (printed 5+ times per year)
Grand Award:
Cannon News
Rick Raskin, Editor
Department of Virginia
Silver Award:
VFW Post 392 Newsletter and Calendar
Michael T. Marushia Sr., Editor
Department of Virginia
Bronze Award:
The Dispatch
Stephen Blackwell, Editor
Department of Florida
Small Frequency (printed 1-4 times per year)
Grand Award:
VFW SSG Dozier Memorial Post 2894
Dan Eaker, Editor
Department of Virginia
Silver Award:
Fort Atkinson Post Dispatch (VFW Post 1879)
Kelly Stine, Editor
Department of Wisconsin
Bronze Award:
VFW Post 2113 & Auxiliary Newsletter
Randy Hansen, Editor
Department of Wisconsin