Each year, more than 800,000 students in the sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1 million in local and national awards. Each first-place VFW Department (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 with a completed 2026-2027 entry form to VFW Post 475 by midnight, Oct. 31, 2026.

The 2026-2027 theme is: "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”

For more information and entry forms, go here: Youth Scholarships - VFW

For an in-depth look at Scholar's App to add judges, manually upload applications, judge submissions, and promote winners to Department, view the tutorial here.

Email us at: vfwpost475qm@gmail.com.