2007 - 2008 Theme
"Why I Am An American Patriot"*
Entry Deadline:  Nov. 1, 2007

  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. 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. To get an idea how to weave the patriotic theme with original thoughts, click here to read a previous first-place winning essay based on "Who Are Today's Patriots?"