What is the Patriots Pen Program?
Each year more than 138,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than
$900,000 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 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington,
D.C.
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?
All student entries must be submitted to a local VFW Post by midnight, Oct 31st, 2020.
Do you want to be inspired by our youth? Watch the 2019-2020 winning essay.
