what is the patriot's pen essay

PATRIOT'S PEN

"how are you inspired by america".

WHAT IS THE PATRIOT’S PEN?

Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition encourages students to use their minds and knowledge of America’s history and their experience of today’s American society to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 138,000 students who participated last year in this contest. Patriot’s Pen gives 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while they compete for awards and prizes. The awards from all levels of the competition total $1.2 million each year. Each Department (state) first place winner competes at the national level for $55,000 in award money. The first place national winner receives $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winner and a parent or guardian. Each state winner will receive at least $500 at the national level. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on their National Advisory List of Contests for participation.

The theme for the Annual VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay is "How Can I Be A Good American?”. 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, adults and former winners that placed in the National contest 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 https://www.vfw.org/patriotspen to see requirements and print the entry forms.  

The essay must be typed in English and be 300-400 words in length. Poetry is not accepted. Word count does not include the title or footnotes. NO GRAPHICS OR COLOR ALLOWED . The essay must be a contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. Contestants will NOT identify themselves within their essay to include, but not limited to, their name, school, city, state, race or national origin. Do not put the students name on the essay; use the entry form as the cover sheet.

Posts may submit one winning entry to the District for judging. 

Districts may submit one winning entry to the Department Chairman.

WINNING ENTRIES ADVANCED FOR JUDGING MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Official entry form and info required. Forms may be printed from online at www.vfw.org

2. Three typed copies of the essay

PATRIOT’S PEN Deadlines: The deadlines for Patriot’s Pen are as follows:

 1.     Midnight, October 31, Entries to the Post*

2.    November 15, Completion of Post judging**

3.    December 10, Completion of District judging**

4.    December 10, January 15, Posts need to submit report on dashboard to acknowledge that they participated in Patriot Pen*

5.    December 13, Email or fax a copy of your winning essay to the email or fax above*(Email preferred)

6.    December 15, District winning entry packet  with head shot picture of winner must be received by Department Chairman*

7.    January 10, Completion of Department judging**

8.    January 15, District participation reports to Department Chairman* District chairmen should roll up the post reports into one District report. All District reports must be received by 15 January and include the phone number and email address of the chairman of that district .*

9.    January 15, Districts must submit a report and approve post reports on dashboard to acknowledge that the posts and District participated in Patriot Pen*

10.  January 15, Department winners to National*

11.  January 31, Department reports to National*

*required deadlines

**suggested deadlines

DO NOT mail District entries and required forms to State Headquarters.  Mail them directly to the State Patriot’s Pen Chairman!

Note: It’s critical that the Post/District reports be accurate. Ask for guidance if something is unclear.

OTHER GUIDELINES:

If the school does not participate , or if there are no schools in your area, the Post should contact student(s)and have them participate in a Post contest with the Post winner being entered into the District competition. Home-schooled children, your child, grandchild, or a friend's child might just be interested in winning a scholarship. Do not lose the opportunity to have your Post or Auxiliary compete in the Patriot’s Pen contest.

Posts and Auxiliaries should make their awards as large as possible. WE HAVE TO have an incentive for the teachers to push the program in order to get larger student participation. Many Posts and Auxiliaries have an Awards Night at the Post Home for teachers, community leaders and students. Some schools request that it be held at a school function. Whichever is done, make sure the students are rewarded and the community is aware of it. It is suggested that each Post and/or Auxiliary present some sort of citation to participating winners, students, teachers, etc. Citations can be ordered from the National Emblem and Supply Catalog. Department can help you create a citation also.

  All entries, including Home Schools , must be judged at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the local VFW Post competition. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the local VFW Post within your U.S. state of residence provided they have not competed in a school class competition.

First, second, and third place state winners will receive awards presented by State Chairman at the Mid-Winter Conference.

 An entry for judging at the next higher level is a requirement for All-State selection.

Individual awards will not be permitted to be presented by the respective District Chairmen at the Mid-Winter Conference. These awards SHOULD BE PRESENTED AT THE DISTRICT'S AWARDS PROGRAM. Posts and Districts are encouraged to present awards to their respective entries.

Click here to view the Rules & Eligibility Requirements:  Patriots-Pen-Rules-and-Eligibility.pdf

Click here to download the current year Entry Form:  Patriots-Pen-Entry-Form-Fillable.pdf

  Contact our State Patriot's Pen Chairman for more information:

Carl Karnish

Email: [email protected]

Address 10185 Mammoth Baton Rouge, LA 70814 Contact Us via Email Phone: 225.925.5025

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

PATRIOT PEN

2023-2024 Patriot's Pen Essay Theme "How are you inspired by America" Each year more than 165,400 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 $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each 1st place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!  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?  2023-2024 Patriots Pen Announcement Letter Click Here 2023-2024 Patriots Pen entry form Click here Score sheet for judging can be found here .    NOTE : PA has due dates different than those publicized by National VFW!        October 31, 2023-Student deadline Entry is midnight.        November 18, 2023 -Post judging completed.        December 3, 2023    District judging completed.        December 9, 2023   District Winner entry form, flash drive of essay, typed essay, head and shoulder photo of good quality, District summary report and District participation report must be sent to Department Chairman:    Pennsylvania VFW Patriot's Pen Chairman William (Bill) Lamond VFW Post 5207 (10) 3360 Nashotka Rd. Madison Twp, Pa.  18444 570-241-5875 [email protected]     December 11, 2023-Department judging  January 15, 2024-Department Winner and Reports submitted to VFW National HQ January 20, 2024-Annual Voice of Democracy Banquet-DoubleTree by Hilton-Pittsburgh Cranberry

Address 4002 Fenton Ave Harrisburg, PA 17109-5943 Contact Us via Email Fax: 717-234-1955

M:  8:30am-4:00pm T:  8:30am-4:00pm W:  8:30am-4:00pm Th:  8:30am-4:00pm F:  8:30am-4:00pm

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

VFW Post 3617

Wenatchee valley veterans & families, patriot’s pen & youth essay.

Each year more than 132,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. 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.

The national first-place winner receives $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $54,500, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level.

How to enter

The Theme for 2023 is: “How Are You Inspired by America?”

Review the [ Rules & Eligibility ]. Download the [ entry form ]. Complete the form and submit it with the written essay to our Post by 31 Oct 2023 . Entries can be mailed in or dropped off during open hours.

Past Winners

2021 – “How Can I Be a Good American?”

2020 – “What is Patriotism to Me?” 1 st : Rachel Carter, Valley Academy of Learning, Wenatchee

2017 – “America’s Gift to My Generation” 1 st : Claire Countryman-Logstrom, Eastmont Jr. High 2 nd : Katelin Neff, Sterling Intermediate School 3 rd : Ella Fillion, Sterling Intermediate School

2016 – “The America I Believe In” 1 st : Colby Hull, Sterling Intermediate School 2 nd : Isaac Darlington, Sterling Intermediate School

2015 1 st : Libby Marcoux, Pioneer Middle School 2 nd : Issac Darlington, Sterling Intermediate School 3 rd : Rae Ann Dressel, Pioneer Middle School

2014 1 st : Aiden Larsen, Eastmont Jr. High 2 nd : Marissa Ann Geesey, Waterville School 3 rd : Grace B. Rodriquez, Icicle River Middle School

2013 – “What Patriotism Means to Me” 1 st : McKenzie Ayers 2 nd : Jarred Barnes 3 rd : Domonique Villeia

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Washington State offers an additional Youth Essay opportunity for students in Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades to submit a written essay of up to 250 words. There will be a Post winner FOR EACH GRADE, as well as a State Winner FOR EACH GRADE. Awards are at the discretion of the local Posts and their Auxiliaries, as are the District Awards.

The Theme for 2023 is “What does the word “Veteran” mean to you?”

Download the [ entry form ], which includes Rules & Eligibility information on page 2. Complete the form and submit it with the written essay to our Post by 31 Oct 2023 . Entries can be mailed in or dropped off during open hours.

2017 – “What Does a Veteran Mean to Me?” 1 st : Alex Anguiano, Washington Elementary 2 nd : Khloe Suppes, Waterville Elementary 3 rd : Isabela Orr, Lewis & Clark Elementary

2016 1 st : RyAnne Barnes, Clovis Elementary 2 nd : Andrea Hernandez, Lewis & Clark Elementary 3 rd : Alex Anguiano, Washington Elementary

2015 Jessalyn Alcazar, Mission View Elementary

2014 1 st : Layni Schmultzer, Grant Elementary 2 nd : Denise Sanchez, Sterling School 3 rd : Natalie Daggett, Sterling School

2013 1 st : Makenna Schwab 2 nd : Natteag Daris 3 rd : Cynthia Monravalo

• Members Area

(509) 884-3617

VFW Post 2197

Patriot’s Pen

2022-2023 Theme “My Pledgeto our Veterans.”

Student Entry Deadline: 31 October 2022

Patriotic written essay competition grand prize: $5,000 award.

What is the Patriot’s Pen Program? Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 84,000 students who participated last year in this contest.

Why Should I Enter? Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, State and national level. Department (State) winners receive a portion of $55,000 in national awards. National Winners will receive at least $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000 .

The Internal Revenue Service requires a recipient awarded more than $599 be given Form 1099 identifying the proceeds as taxable income. This may require the winner to provide their social security number.

How Does the Contest Work? All entries begin at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the VFW Post. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the Post. The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition.

Who Can Enter? Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students or former winners that placed in the National contest are ineligible.)

How Do I Get Started? • Ask a teacher or youth group/club adult leader to supervise the Patriot’s Pen writing contest. • Contact a participating VFW Post and indicate your interest in participating. • Establish a contact person who is a member of that VFW Post or its VFW Auxiliary. • Make sure that your essay is submitted to the VFW Post before the contest deadline of Oct. 31, 2022. You can submit your essay and entry form by email upon the Post’s approval. Entries sent to the VFW National Headquarters directly will be returned.

How Am I Judged? Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points: You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme development is worth 35 points: Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.

Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points: Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.

What Is the Theme? VFW’s Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year’s theme.

The 2022-2023 theme is:

“My Pledge To Our Veterans.”

Deadline Information. To qualify, all entries must be submitted to a sponsoring VFW Post by midnight October 31, 2022.

Note: If you need help finding a participating VFW Post, follow these instructions:

First, visit vfw.org/FindaPost to “Find a VFW Post.”

If you don’t have success in finding a Post, or if you have trouble contacting them, you can contact your VFW Department (state) headquarters office to see if they can offer any information or assistance. You can visit vfw.org/contactus to look for “Find a State Contact” to get your VFW state office’s phone number and Email.

For assistance contact the VFW National Headquarters at 816.756.3390 ext. 6155 Email: [email protected]

PATRIOT'S PEN

Patriot's Pen

National Patriots Pen link

Address 543 N.E. Sanchez Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 Contact Us via Email Phone: 352-622-5126 Fax: 352-622-3869

M:  8-4:30 T:  8-4:30 W:  8-4:30 Th:  8-4:30 F:  8-4:30 Sat:  closed Sun:  closed

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

PATRIOTS PEN ESSAY CONTEST

2023-2024 Theme

"How Are You Inspired by America?"

Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2023

Patriotic Essay Competition Grand Prize: $5,000 Award

Patriot Pen Entry Form

Patriot Pen Awards List

Patriot Pen Score Sheet

Patriot Pen District Report

VFW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

At the turn of the 20th century, the founders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars created an organization that would honor and serve veterans and perpetuate the values and ideals for which those veterans had served.  Although men of vision, it is doubtful they could imagine the millions of Americans impacted today by the VFW’s youth, scholarship and recognition programs. Every year, tens of thousands of students nationwide participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.2 million in scholarships, awards, and incentives.

Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest 

Patriot’s Pen gives 6th, 7th and 8th grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while they compete for awards and prizes. Cumulatively, the awards provided from all levels of the competition are around $1.2 million each year. Each first place Department (state) winner competes for $46,000 in award money at the national level with the first place winner receiving $5,000 and a trip to Washington, DC in March.

The deadlines for the Patriot’s Pen essay contest are:

• Midnight, October 31 ,  Entries to the Post *
• November 15, Entries received at your District
• December 7, Entries received at Department
• December  7 , Districts report on post participation, received at the department 

Post entries are required to include the following:

Typed essay in English of 300-400 words (no graphics) and a student entry form completed legibly. All words must be counted.

Address 1285BaringBlvd.#184 SparksNevada89434 Contact Us via Email Phone: 775-544-8786

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

PATRIOT'S PEN

What is patriot's pen.

•  Essay length: 300-400 typewritten words (+ or - 5 words max)
• You must write your own essay
• All entries begin at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the VFW Post. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the Post. The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. 

DONATE TO DEPARTMENT OF NEW JERSEY

Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your tax-deductible donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.

Address 171 Jersey St, Bldg 5 2nd Floor Trenton NJ, NJ 08611 Contact Us via Email Phone: 609-393-1929 Fax: 609-393-3031

Ken Hagemann, USMC

State Adjutant/QM

Phone: 609-393-1929

Email:  [email protected]

Juan Class, ARMY

State Inspector

Email:  [email protected]

Helen Inirio, ARMY

Assistant to State Adjutant/QM

Membership/Bonds/Poppies

Email:  [email protected]

Deborah Donaghy, ARMY

Office Assistant

Email:  [email protected]

Meggan McFadden

Office Administrator

Email: [email protected]

Bob Weiss, USMC    

Department Veteran Service Officer

Phone: 609-393-1952

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #50928

Joshua Hansen, ARMY

Veterans Service Officer

Email:  [email protected]   [email protected]

VA Accreditation #43230

Ryan Maharaj, ARMY

Veteran Service Officer

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #53926

Charles Thorp, ARMY

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #53925

Mike Boll, USMC

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #53920

Jaime Santiago, ARMY

Phone: 856-401-7660

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #51517

Gloucester County Veterans Affairs

211 County House Rd

Kevin O'Hora, USMC

Phone: 201-336-6329

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #49906

Bergen County Department of Human Services

One Bergen County Plaza - 2nd fl - Hackensack NJ

Shaun Hutchinson, ARMY

Phone: 201-336-6326

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #52036

Denise Balderama, USMC/ARMY

Assistant Veteran Service Officer

Email:  [email protected]

VA Accreditation #29542

Adrian Romero, ARMY

Outreach Coordinator

Phone: 609-569-2176

Email:  [email protected]

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Discrimination — Patriot’s Pen Essay: What Freedom Means To Me

Patriot's Pen Essay: What Freedom Means to Me

• Categories: Discrimination Freedom

About this sample

Words: 775 |

Published: Mar 14, 2024

Words: 775 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Social Issues Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1347 words

2 pages / 1042 words

4 pages / 1925 words

3 pages / 1552 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Discrimination

In today's competitive job market, companies often prioritize the appearance and image of their employees as a part of their brand strategy. This practice, commonly known as "going for the look," involves hiring individuals [...]

Skin discrimination is a deeply entrenched form of bias that persists in many societies, perpetuating social inequalities and hindering progress towards a more inclusive world. This essay delves into the complexities of skin [...]

The question of whether healthcare is a right or a luxury is a contentious and complex issue that lies at the intersection of social, economic, and ethical considerations. Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental [...]

Discrimination in health care is a distressing reality that persists in modern societies, casting a shadow over the principles of fairness and equality that should govern medical practices. Health care is a fundamental human [...]

Discrimination is a disgusting practice that has been around for many years. The culture and bad teaching have kept this unfair act of exclusionary favor of one group over another alive by means of unchanging learned behaviors, [...]

Jasper Jones is a novel written by Craig Silvey; it was set in the 1960s in Australia within a town called Corrigan. In Jasper Jones being the ‘other’ in a small-town results in discrimination towards characters. Bullying was [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

PATRIOTS PEN

POST CHAIRMAN - DON HOFFMAN

DISTRICT CHAIRMAN - MONTY PARR

DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN -  DEBBIE McELHANNON  

PATRIOT'S PEN

2021-2022 Theme: "How Can I Be A Good American?"

WHAT IS THE PATRIOT’S PEN?

Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition encourages students to use their minds and knowledge of America’s history and their experience of today’s American society to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 138,000 students who participated last year in this contest. Patriot’s Pen gives 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th  grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while they compete for awards and prizes. The awards from all levels of the competition total $1.2 million each year. Each Department (state) first place winner competes at the national level for $55,000 in award money. The first place national winner receives $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winner and a parent or guardian. Each state winner will receive at least $500 at the national level. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on their National Advisory List of Contests for participation.

The theme for the Annual VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay is "How Can I Be A Good American?”. 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, adults and former winners that placed in the National contest 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  https://www.vfw.org/patriotspen  to see requirements and print the entry forms.  

The essay must be typed in English and be 300-400 words in length. Poetry is not accepted. Word count does not include the title or footnotes.  NO GRAPHICS OR COLOR ALLOWED .  The essay must be a contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. Contestants will NOT identify themselves within their essay to include, but not limited to, their name, school, city, state, race or national origin. Do not put the students name on the essay; use the entry form as the cover sheet.

VERY IMPORTANT: POST CHAIRMAN SHOULD pursue a notice in local media.

Posts may submit one winning entry to the District for judging.  Districts may submit one winning entry to the Department Chairman.

WINNING ENTRIES ADVANCED FOR JUDGING MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Official entry form and info required. Forms may be printed from online at www.vfw.org

2. Three typed copies of the essay

PATRIOT’S PEN Deadlines: The deadlines for Patriot’s Pen are as follows:

 1.     Midnight, October 31, Entries to the Post*

2.    November 15, Completion of Post judging**

3.    December 10, Completion of District judging**

4.    December 10, January 15, Posts need to submit report on dashboard to acknowledge that they participated in Patriot Pen*

5.    December 13, Email or fax a copy of your  winning essay  to the email or fax above*(Email preferred)

6.    December 15, District  winning entry packet with head shot picture of winner must be received by Department Chairman*

7.    January 10, Completion of Department judging**

8.    January 15, District participation reports to Department Chairman* District chairmen should roll up the post reports into one District report. All District reports must be received by 15 January and  include the phone number and email address of the chairman of that district .*

9.    January 15, Districts must submit a report and approve post reports on dashboard to acknowledge that the posts and District participated in Patriot Pen*

10.  January 15, Department winners to National*

11.  January 31, Department reports to National*

*required deadlines

**suggested deadlines

DO NOT mail District entries and required forms to State Headquarters.  Mail them directly to the State Patriot’s Pen Chairman in above heading.

Note: It’s critical that the Post/District reports be accurate. Ask for guidance if something is unclear.

Points Value in judging is as follows:

             Knowledge of Theme -           30 pts

            Theme Development  -           35 pts

             Clarity of Ideas            -            35 pts

            Possible Total             -           100 pts

First, second, and third place state winners will receive awards presented by State Chairman at the Mid-Winter Conference.

 An entry for judging at the next higher level is a requirement for All-State selection.

Individual awards will not be permitted to be presented by the respective District Chairmen at the Mid-Winter Conference. These awards SHOULD BE PRESENTED AT THE DISTRICT'S AWARDS PROGRAM. Posts and Districts are encouraged to present awards to their respective entries.

OTHER GUIDELINES:

If the  school does not participate ,  or if there are no schools in your area, the Post should contact student(s)and have them participate in a Post contest with the Post winner being entered into the District competition.  Home-schooled children,  your child, grandchild, or a friend's child might just be interested in winning a scholarship. Do not lose the opportunity to have your Post or Auxiliary compete in the Patriot’s Pen contest.

Posts and Auxiliaries should make their awards as large as possible. WE HAVE TO have an incentive for the teachers to push the program in order to get larger student participation. Many Posts and Auxiliaries have an Awards Night at the Post Home for teachers, community leaders and students. Some schools request that it be held at a school function. Whichever is done, make sure the students are rewarded and the community is aware of it. It is suggested that each Post and/or Auxiliary present some sort of citation to participating winners, students, teachers, etc. Citations can be ordered from the National Emblem and Supply Catalog. Department can help you create a citation also.

  All entries, including Home Schools , must be judged at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the local VFW Post competition. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the local VFW Post within your U.S. state of residence provided they have not competed in a school class competition.

Click here to view the Rules & Eligibility Requirements:  Patriots-Pen-Rules-and-Eligibility.pdf

Click here to download the current year Entry Form:  Patriots-Pen-Entry-Form-Fillable.pdf

Address 140 Angus Dr LULING, LA 70070 Contact Us via Email Phone: 985 785-8379

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

Shopping Cart

No products in the cart.

Patriot's Pen

About the program.

Patriot's Pen - A Youth Essay Writing Contest

Conducted nationwide, this Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest. Students in 6th - 8th grades enter the Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million 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! 

2023-2024 Patriot's Pen Theme

"how are you inspired by america".

The Patriot’s Pen Program is judged on the following criteria:

Knowledge of the Theme (30 points) You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme Development (35 points) Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.

Clarity of Ideas (35 points) Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.

Patriot's Pen Forms

2022-2023 national winner.

Leighton Peters , a 7th grade student from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, was named the 2022-2023 Patriot’s Pen first place winner. Her essay on the theme, “My Pledge to Our Veterans” won her a $5,000 award. Leighton was sponsored by VFW Post 2204 and its Auxiliary in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

How Does The Contest Work

All entries begin at the VFW Post level. The only exception is  where schools/classes/youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the VFW Post. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the Post.

The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition.

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

• See blocked member's posts
• Mention this member in posts
• Message this member
• Add this member as a connection

Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Search mesavfw.org

• Patriot’s Pen

2020-21 Patriot’s Pen Theme:

What is Patriotism to Me?

Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2020 Patriotic Essay Writing Contest Grand Prize: $5,000 Award

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.

What is PATRIOT’S PEN?

Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 120,000 students who participated last year in this contest. The national winners will receive at least $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000 plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winner and a parent or guardian. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has again approved this contest for its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities .

Big National Prizes

National awards total: $55,000 Prizes include the various amounts listed below: 1st: $5,000 7th: $1,750 2nd:$4,000 8-10th: $1,500 3rd: $3,500 11-12th: $1,250 4th: $2,750 13-23th: $1,000 5th: $2,500 24-25th: $750 6th: $2,000 26-53th: $500 The Internal Revenue Service requires that any recipient that receives more than a $599 award should receive a Form 1099 identifying the proceeds as taxable.

Post 1760 Winning Prize: $150

How does the patriot’s pen contest work.

All entries begin at the Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/ youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the local VFW Post competition. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the Post. This participating Post should be within your local area and within your U.S. state of residence. The contest consists of four levels. The first level (entry) is sponsored by local VFW Posts. Post winners advance, one for every 15 entries, to the VFW District (regional) level where the one first-place winner is advanced to the VFW Department (state) level. The one first-place winner at the Department level is then advanced into the VFW national competition. The winner from each Department (state) then competes for the national prizes.

Who can enter?

Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th-, 7th- and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Although U. S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U. S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools can participate too. (Foreign exchange students and former winners that placed in the National contest are excluded from the contest.)

How do I get started?

• Download the entry form here:  2020-21 Patriots Pen Student Entry Form and Brochure .
• Ask a teacher or youth group/club adult leader to supervise the Patriot’s Pen writing competition.
• Contact a local VFW Post within your local area within your state and indicate your interest in participating.
• Establish a contact person who is a member of that VFW Post or its Auxiliary.
• Make sure that your essay is submitted to the VFW Post before the contest deadline of Oct. 31, 2020. You can submit your essay and entry form electronically (by email) upon the Post’s approval. Entries sent to VFW National will be returned.

How am I judged?

You will be judged on how well you understand, develop and present the theme. A positive approach is recommended to express your viewpoint.

Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points: You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme development is worth 35 points: Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.

Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points: Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.

What is the theme?

VFW’s Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year’s theme. The 2020-21 theme is, What is Patriotism to Me?

What are the rules?

• Essay length: 300-400 typewritten words. (+ or – 5 words max).
• You must write your own essay.
• All essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics and cannot be less than 300 words or greater than 400 words in length. (Essays under or over these word amounts will be eliminated.) Every word is counted regardless of length. The essay title (theme) or added footnotes do not contribute to the word count. At any time during the contest additional participant personal information (i.e. SSN, photo, etc.) could be requested by the VFW.

In no way may contestants identify themselves within their essay (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race or national origin.) Do not put your name on your essay. The entry form is your essay’s cover sheet. Secure the Official Student Entry Form with a staple or other fastener on top of your essay. Contestants are allowed to enter only once each year if otherwise eligible (one Post competition). Contestants found in violation of this rule will face elimination from the competition and will be required to return any and all prize money awarded or received.

The essay must be a contestant’s original work and a product of the contestant’s own thinking. The approach to the Patriot’s Pen theme should be positive and clearly focused. Poetry is not acceptable. Quotations may be used sparingly if plainly identified wherever used. A contestant’s teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the contestant’s. Contestants will be judged on the basis of their essay alone and are not required to present the essay orally. All essays become the property of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW retains non-exclusive rights to use your essay and likeness in the promotion and execution of the organization’s programs and activities.

Patriot’s Pen Deadline information

To qualify, all entries must be submitted to VFW Post 1760 (or a sponsoring local VFW Post) by midnight October 31, 2020 . Entries can be hand delivered or postal mail sent.

For more details on the competition you can contact our office or refer to the VFW National website .

About the 2019-20 winner …

Ruby Howe, a seventh grade student from Rochester Hills, Michigan, was named the 2019-20  Patriot’s Pen  first place winner. Her essay on the theme, “What Makes America Great,” won her a $5,000 award. Ruby was sponsored by VFW Post 334 in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Watch as Ruby delivered her winning essay , or see the  complete list of 2020 national winners .

Previous Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy News

2017 Voice of Democracy Winner Takes 3rd in State

The Department of Arizona Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary had their Rudolph A. Beckwar Memorial 2017 Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet… READ»

Sponsors & Events

• Youth Programs
• Upcoming Events
• Post Officers
• Chairmen & Committees
• Auxiliary Officers
• Past Commanders
• VFW Auxiliary of Post 1760
• Veterans Day Parade
• Memorial Day Ceremony
• Pool League
• Queen of Hearts
• Dart Tournaments
• Active Duty Days
• Voice of Democracy
• Teacher of the Year
• Scout of the Year
• ROTC ★ JROTC
• Young Marines
• Sea Cadet Corps
• VA Assistance
• Service Officer’s Corner
• Temporary Financial
• Chaplain’s Corner
• Funeral Assistance
• Membership Cards
• Membership Transfer
• Hall Rental
• Medical Equipment
• Veteran Job Board
• Resource Links

PATRIOT'S PEN

Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 138,000 students who participated last year in this contest. The national winners will receive at least $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has again approved this contest for its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities.   VFW’s Commander-in-Chief annually chooses the year’s theme. The 2023-24 theme is   "How are you inspired by America?   A big thank you to the North Carolina Military Order of the Cootie for sponsoring these monetary awards!   Entry Form   Eligibility   Score Sheet   For further information, please contact our Department Chairman, Steve Amos.    Phone: 336-462-2024 Email: [email protected]   

Address 917 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, NC 27601 Contact Us via Email Phone: 919-828-5058 Fax: 919-307-8625

M:  9am-4pm T:  9am-4pm W:  9am-4pm Th:  9am-4pm F:  9am-4pm

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

Patriot's Pen Essay Contest

Ages: Middle School

Type: Submission

Scope: National

[email protected] (816) 756-3390

Participate

Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 120,000 students who participated last year in this contest. The national winners will receive at least $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000 plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winner and a parent or guardian.

There are no news items for this competition at this time.

Submit an essay based on the year's topic and requirements.

Website: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships

Managing Organization: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Contact: [email protected] (816) 756-3390

Eligibility: The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8 (on the October 31 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

Signup Newsletter

Sign me up for the newsletter!

The Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS) was founded in 2012 to help transform learning into an exciting challenge for all students. We exist to support students in realizing the full potential of their future.

Quick Links

• Competitions
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Connect with us on social media

Copyright © 2024 Institute of Competition Sciences. All rights reserved.

PATRIOT'S PEN

Patriot's pen.

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s  Patriot’s Pen  youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million 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! 

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. Before submitting your essay,  read the rules and eligibility requirements , and  find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 .  Download and complete the 2023-2024 entry form here . 

The 2023-24 theme is:  "How Are You Inspired by America?"

Address 35 E Chestnut St Ste 506 Columbus, OH 43215 Contact Us via Email Phone: 614-224-1838 Fax: 614-224-3861

M:  8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. T:  8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. W:  8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Th:  8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. F:  8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Office: 614-224-1838 Fax:     614-224-3861

Menu Home About Programs Resources News Contact Members Only

Links Site Admin Webmail Follow on Facebook VFW National VFW Store National Auxiliary Site

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Become an FT subscriber

Limited time offer save up to 40% on standard digital.

• Global news & analysis
• Expert opinion
• Special features
• FirstFT newsletter
• Videos & Podcasts
• Android & iOS app
• FT Edit app
• 10 gift articles per month

Explore more offers.

Standard digital.

• FT Digital Edition

Premium Digital

Print + premium digital.

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.

• 10 additional gift articles per month
• Global news & analysis
• Exclusive FT analysis
• Videos & Podcasts
• FT App on Android & iOS
• Everything in Standard Digital
• Premium newsletters
• Weekday Print Edition

Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• Everything in Print
• Everything in Premium Digital

The new FT Digital Edition: today’s FT, cover to cover on any device. This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App.

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

Why the ft.

See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.

International Edition