2024-2025 THEME:
WHAT IS THE PATRIOT’S PEN?
Conducted nationwide, this VFW-sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. We invite you to join the more than 73,000 students who participated last year in this contest.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by
the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the
U.S., its territories or its possessions; or dependents of U.S. military
or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Home-schooled students
also are eligible. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students
must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for
permanent residence (the application which has not been denied)
and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity
allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students are ineligible.)
PATRIOT’S PEN Deadlines: The deadlines for Patriot’s Pen are as follows:
1. Midnight, October 31, Entries to the Post*
2. November 15, Completion of Post judging**
3. December 10, Completion of District judging**
4. December 10, January 15, Posts need to submit report on dashboard to acknowledge that they participated in Patriot Pen*
5. December 13, Email or fax a copy of your winning essay to the email or fax above*(Email preferred)
6. December 15, District winning entry packet with head shot picture of winner must be received by Department Chairman*
7. January 10, Completion of Department judging**
8. January 15, District participation reports to Department Chairman* District chairmen should roll up the post reports into one District report. All District reports must be received by 15 January and include the phone number and email address of the chairman of that district.*
9. January 15, Districts must submit a report and approve post reports on dashboard to acknowledge that the posts and District participated in Patriot Pen*
10. January 15, Department winners to National*
11. January 31, Department reports to National*
*required deadlines
**suggested deadlines
DO NOT mail District entries and required forms to State Headquarters!
Mail them directly to the State Patriot’s Pen Chairman!
Department (State) Awards:
First, second, and third place state winners will receive awards presented by State Chairman at the Mid-Winter Conference.
Click here to view the Rules & Eligibility Requirements: Patriots-Pen-Rules-and-Eligibility.pdf
Click here to download the current year Entry Form: Patriots-Pen-Entry-Form-Fillable.pdf
Contact our State Patriot's Pen Chairman for more information:
TBA!