Patriots Pen

The theme for the Annual VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay is "What is Patriotism To Me." The contest is open to all students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades in public, private, parochial schools, as well as home-schooled children in the United States and its territories or its possessions and dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Former first place state winners are not eligible to compete again. Foreign exchange students and adults are not eligible to compete.

Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application cannot have been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Brochures on the program were mailed to all Post Commanders and Auxiliary Presidents. Schools should be contacted as soon as they open for the current year in order that the teachers can include the contest in the lesson plans. Posts are responsible for giving their area schools Patriot’s Pen pamphlets. You can check the program on the web at Youth Scholarships - VFW to see requirements and print the entry forms.