VFW Patriot's Pen Program


2008-2009 Theme:   "Why America’s Veterans Should be Honored”

Entry Deadline:  Nov. 1, 2008

Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria, 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.

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.