Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards.
Each year, VFW Post 3020 awards students from Burlington County Schools and local private schools with monetary awards. Local award winners then advance to compete at the District, state and national level for additional award opportunities.
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. Before submitting your essay, download the 2024-2025 entry form here.
Each school has a Patriot's Pen point of contact. Please visit your school's front office to find your school's point of contact.
The 2024-25 Patriot's Pen theme is: