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			VFW Announces Kick-Off of Annual 
			$5,000 Patriotic Essay Writing Competition
 
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            [September 05, 2023]  
			  VFW Commander Bill Stauffer 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. | 
        
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			 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 2023-20224 theme selected is “How are you inspired by America?” 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 
			217-480-0057 or email VFWPost1756_VOD-PP@yahoo.com for more 
			information. 
			
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				 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.
 
			[Text received from Michelle Ramlow] |