Patriot's Pen
The 2026-27 theme is:
"What a Veteran Taught Me About America."
Each year, nearly 60,000 students in sixth through eighth grades enter VFW's Patriot's Pen youth essay contest to win their share of more than $1.4 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.
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. Home-schooled students are also eligible.
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America's history and experiences in modern American society by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay that expresses their views on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Applications must be submitted by midnight on October 31, 2026. Download and complete the 2025-2026 entry form here. After you complete the Entry Form, email it directly to the Post Adjutant.
