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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 nearly $1 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, with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. Find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31

  Deadlines

  • Entry to Post by October 31
  • Post judging completed by November 15
  • Post updates to All-American Dashboard November 15
  • District Judging completed by December 1
  • District approves Post reports on All American dashboard by December 1
  • State Judging completed by December 31
  • State winners to National by January 15 
 

The 2025-26 theme is: 

"How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?"

 

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 winner!

VFW Post 12180 winner is: TBD