2022 - 2023

Each year more than 138,000 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 $900,000 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 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. 

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? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, download the 2020-21 entry form application, as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31.

The 2020-21 theme is: 
What is Patriotism to Me?

All entries must be submitted to your VFW Post competition committee. If you have difficulty identifying a sponsoring post in your area, contact the Patriot's Pen Chairman at the Department Office.

Please send application to your VFW Post / VFW Auxiliary for submissions.