Encouraging young Americans to study our nation’s history, consider the meaning of citizenship and share their own voices through patriotic writing.
2026–2027 Contest Theme
"What a Veteran Taught Me About America”
The Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors separate national competitions for middle-school and high-school students. Local entries advance through VFW judging levels for the opportunity to earn state and national recognition and awards.
Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy program gives high-school students an opportunity to express their views through an original patriotic audio essay.
Patriot’s Pen encourages middle-school students to examine America’s history and their own experiences in modern American society through an original patriotic essay.
Begin early enough to review the official rules, prepare the entry and contact the Post before the October 31 deadline.
Select Voice of Democracy for grades 9–12 or Patriot’s Pen for grades 6–8.
Use the current 2026–2027 entry form and carefully review every eligibility and submission rule.
Create an original response to the annual theme and assemble all required materials.
Confirm local submission arrangements before delivering the completed entry to the Post.
Post 759 welcomes questions from students, parents, guardians, teachers, school counselors and home-school families. Teachers interested in sharing these competitions with a classroom or school may contact the Post for program information.
Please contact the Post before delivering an entry so we can confirm the current local contact and submission arrangements.
VFW Post 759
2215 First Avenue • Kearney, Nebraska 68847