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Veteran and Community Event Spotlight
We take pride in showing off our latest contributions and events. Feel free to browse through the events above. Be sure to filter the events by their category by selecting the proper event in the top right corner.
Educational Programs
The Veterans of Foreign Wars believes that our youth play a significant role in our society. In support of that belief, the VFW sponsors programs at both the local and national levels to reward those students and teachers who do their part.
Each year more than 111,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $900,000 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 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
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.
Deadline for submissions is typically in October of each year. Please contact us for more information.
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.9 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Deadline for submissions is typically in October of each year. Please contact us for more information.
Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn’t be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America.
Each year three exceptional teachers are recognized by the VFW for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top certified/licensed elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach and promote America’s history, traditions and citizenship education effectively. The Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recipients are selected from entries submitted to local VFW Posts in every state and overseas.
The awards include the following items:
- A national $1,000 Past National CIC John Smart award for the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade teachers for professional development expenses
- $1,000 award for each winning teacher’s school
- Plaques for both the winning teacher and school
- An all-expenses-paid trip to attend the VFW National Convention
Deadline for submissions is typically in October of each year. Please contact us for more information.
Initiatives
Buddy Poppy
Buddy Poppy
The red poppy has connected generations of veterans, service members and their families with civilians in remembering all those who have fallen. And for more than 75 years, the VFW's "Buddy"® Poppy program has honored those who have sacrificed by raising millions of dollars to support veterans' well-being.
Read MorePatriotic Days
Patriotic Days
VFW Posts worldwide host public commemorations and other events on many patriotic days, honoring America's veterans and rich history. Join us in our efforts by getting involved with an upcoming event
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