VFW-Patriots
Pen- New Jersey -District 11-Post 10065
Patriot's
Pen
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 2026-2027 entry form, to their local
participating VFW Post. Find your sponsoring local VFW
Post as applications must be turned in by midnight,
Oct. 31.
Go to vfw.org or vfwnj.org for entry forms and to review rules and eligibility requirements.