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2018-2019 Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest

Patriot's Pen Essay Contest

Each year more than 132,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $55,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. 

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. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements and download the entry form before submitting your entry to your local VFW Post. 

Why I Honor the American Flag

  • Open to any student in grades 6-8 who is enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
  • Does not have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate, but the student must submit entries to a local VFW Post.
  • Student Entry Deadline is Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

Patriot's Pen

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