The VFW enacted the Patriot’s Pen competition in 1995 to encourage young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society by composing a 300- to 400-word patriotic-themed essay
Each year, nearly 68,800 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 $1.4 million in state and national awards. Students begin by competing at the local Post level.
The I.P. "Sarge” Bell Memorial Post 3377 Post judges all essays submitted to us and choose our Post winners. We award the first-place winner $200, second place $150, and third place $100. The Post 3377 first place winner competes in the VFW District 28 competition and the VFW District 28 winner competes in the VFW Department of Texas contest against all other District winners and the Department winner competes against all other state winners. The first-place winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. The national first-place winner receives $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.
The 2023-2024 theme is: "How are you inspired by America?”
To qualify, all entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight October 31, 2023.
VFW Post 3377 strongly supports the Patriots Pen program. For additional information, contact Post Patriot's Pen Chairman Jim Linville (jalinvil@gmail.com) or you may send an email to vfwpost3377@att.net or by calling (512) 282-5664. click here.
