We welcome you our community section where you can learn more about how we accomplish our mission, support our community, and have fun.
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.
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.