Program Description: Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives 6th through 8th grade students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.
The 2025-26 theme is:
"How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
Criteria: The Patriot's Pen is open to students in 6th - 8th grade, who are enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home study programs in the United States, it's territories. Although US citizenship is not required, students must be lawful US permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a US citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students and former winner that placed in the National context are excluded from the contest.
How To Submit:
- Essay length must be between 300 - 400 typewritten words (+ or - 5 words max).
- You must write your own essay. No AI usage.
- All essays should be types in English with no color or graphics
- The essay title (theme) or added footnotes do not contribute to the word count
- All applications shall be submitted on scholarsapp using the QR code provided on the flyer
In no way may the contestants identify themselves within their essay (including, but not limited to: your name, school, city, state, race, or national origins). Do not put your name on your essay. The entry form is your essay's cover sheet.
Contestants are allowed to enter only once per year. Contestants found in violation of this rule will face elimination from the competition and will be required to return any and all prize money awarded or received.
The essay must be a contestant's own original work and a product of the contestants own thinking. The approach to the Patriot's Pen theme should be positive and clearly focused. Poetry is not acceptable. Quotations may be used sparingly if plainly identified wherever used. A contestant's teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the contestant's. Contestants will be judged on the basis of their essay alone and are not required to present the essay orally.
Deadlines:
October 31: Student entries due to the Post/Ship
November 15: Post/Ship winner submitted to the District
December 15: District winners submitted to Department
January 10: Completion of Department judging
January 15: District participation reports due to Department Chairperson
January 15: Department winners submitted to Nationals
January 31: Department reports due to Nationals
Awards:
- First place winner will be invited to January District meeting to read his/her speech.
- First, Second and Third Place will be recognized at a banquet held at the ship in December.
Click here for Patriot's Pen Application Link
