Each year, more than 60,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual 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. Students interested in participating must submit their essay prepared on this year’s theme, 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.
VFW Roy E. Davis Post 2375 PP Entries must be received by the Post Commander or the Post Adjutant as a complete packet by the entry deadline to be considered. Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@vfw2375.org for more information.
The 2025-2026 Patriots Pen Theme is;
“How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
Deadline to Post: 31 October 2025