2023-2024 Patriot's Pen
Each year more than 165,400 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 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. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements and find the theme and entry form
here.
Score sheet for judging can be found
here.
NOTE: PA has due dates different than those publicized by National VFW!
October 31 - All student essays due to the Post
November 21 - Post judging completed
December 5 - District judging completed
December 10 - Submit the one district winner, along with the written essay and headshot,
District summary report and District participation report to Ben Lipschutz.
December 12 - Department judging completed
January 22 - Awards Banquet at Mid-Winter Conference
Benjamin A. Lipschutz
