| VFW Announces Kick-Off of Annual 
			$5,000 Patriotic Essay Writing Competition
 
  Send a link to a friend 
			
			 [September 21, 2022] 
			VFW Commander Ed Nelson and VFW Auxiliary President 
			Teresa Pourchot, of Cronin Brothers Post 1756 announces the kick-off 
			of this year’s VFW’s Patriot’s Pen Patriotic Essay Writing 
			Competition. Local junior high school students (Grades 6-8) have the 
			opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and 
			a trip to Washington, D.C.
 Students must submit a typed essay, 300-400 words (+ or – 5 words 
			max) on the selected theme and completed entry form to their local 
			VFW Post by October 31. The 2022-2023 theme selected is “My Pledge 
			to Our Veterans” Students begin by competing at the local Post 
			level, then Post winners compete at the District level with the 
			winner advancing to the state competition.
 
 All state first-place winners receive a four day trip to Washington, 
			D.C. and the chance to compete for their share of more than $50,000 
			in prize money. The first-place winner receives $5000.
 
 Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition 
			gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views 
			on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 
			138,000 students who participated last year in this contest.
 
			The interested students and teachers should contact 
			the Voice of Democracy Chairman at VFW Post 1756 by phone at 
			217-750-2240 or email ryanpcvfw1756@gmail.com for more information. 
			
			[to top of second column] | 
 
FOR DETAILS VISIT
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships 
 ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans 
service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members 
from the active, Guard and Reserve forces.
 
 Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's 
largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans organization. 
With nearly 1.9 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,800 
Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries 
are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and 
community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website 
at www.vfw.org.
 
				 
			[Ryan Coughlin]  
			 
			
  |