VFW Okinawa - VFW Post 11435 - Programs - Patriot's Pen Essay Contest

VFW Post 11435 Community Programs

Patriot's Pen Essay Contest 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' 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.

Student Information:
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to VFW Post 11435. Mail entry form and essay to VFW Post 11435.

*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.