How to resolve AdBlock issue? SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The final date to submit applications to a local VFW Post for the Veterans of Foreign Wars 2013-14 Patriot's Pen Essay Contest and Voice of Democracy Oral Essay Contest is midnight, November 1.
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 saving 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.
Student can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post. The Patriot's Pen essay theme for 2013-14 is, “What Patriotism Means to Me."
The Voice of Democracy (VOD) Program is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program. Students record their essay to a CD. The recording should be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes (plus or minus 5 seconds.) Prizes and scholarships are awarded at the local, district, state and national level. Department (State) winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., March 1-5, 2014, to tour the city, meet our nation’s leaders, be honored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary and receive their portion of $152,000 in national awards, the top scholarship being $30,000. The theme for 2013-14 is, "Why I'm Optimistic About our Nation’s Future."
Students interested in applying may contact Gene Ratigliano at (518) 584-9686 or (518) 885-9666 or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to the National VFW website at www.vfw.org and go to the Community Tab on the right hand side of the page. Application forms and submission requirements can also be picked up at Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420, 190 Excelsior Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Entries for Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy must be received at a local VFW Post not later that midnight November 1, 2013Patriot's Pen, VFW, patriotism, vetr.
