Each year, more than 60,000 students in grades 6-8 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 with a completed 2025-2026 entry form to VFW Post 475 by midnight, Oct. 31, 2025.

The 2025-26 theme is: "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?"

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

Local VFW Post Points of Contact:

Keith Walker

302-345-0817

John Morrow

302-366-8438