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March 29, 2010 An Open Letter to All Who Work the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Programs. The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary have just completed another successful year of our Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Scholarship programs.
I am writing to express my gratitude for all your hard work and commitment to America’s youth and these vital programs. I know that many of you have served for several decades. You have my admiration for your dedication. Your service has brought immeasurable honor to our organizations and the veterans we all serve.
I am also very pleased that, in the past two-to-three years, I have begun to hear from new chairmen eager to grow the program at their Post, District and Department. Please know that I and my staff are as close as your telephone to help you in any way we can. My number is 816-968-1116 and my e-mail is svanbuskirk@vfw.org.
Most of you who know me, know my feelings about our scholarship programs. For those who don’t, please allow me to share a bit of that philosophy.
It is wonderful that we provide more than $3 million in scholarships and incentives each year. However, the real value of these programs is the contact we have with today’s young people.
The values inherent in the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans and their families must be encouraged in future generations. As wartime veterans and those who waited for them, you understand the values of teamwork, commitment, love of country, selflessness and sacrifice. These are the same values that made our nation great and have sustained her through her most difficult days. If this nation is to continue to survive, these values must be passed on. Our scholarship programs are one way this occurs.
I read, in essay after essay, how a young student meets a veteran and learns about how they feel about their service and their country. The resulting essay reflects a deep respect for veterans and a greater love of our nation and its history. This is a result that cannot be purchased and, if it could, we could not afford to buy it. This is the value of the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen.
Again, thank you for all your hard work, miles driven, and money spent from your own pocket to make the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Programs successful. Bless you for your dedication and commitment. You served proudly and continue to serve honorably. Nothing finer can be said of you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Steve Van Buskirk
Director of Programs
SPECIAL NOTE: In past years, we have mailed scholarship information to approximately 70,000 teachers. This year, due to the generosity of The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, we just completed a mailing to over 370,000 teachers. Candidly, I hope that our Posts will be able to handle what could be a substantial increase in the number of teachers and students wishing to participate in our programs. Please encourage your Posts to be ready to respond to these requests.
Whether you're a student, teacher, parent, grandparent or guardian, we invite you to participate in our three wonderful national programs offered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary.
The programs are designed to offer the students an opportunity to develop needed educational skills while participating in worthwhile patriotic programs. In fact, the programs have been adopted by many local educators as part of their annual classroom curriculum.
We hope that you will participate, and good luck to all!
If you have any questions, or desire additional information, fill out the handy online form (below), and we'll be sure to get your questions answered.
Scholarship Deadlines:
Voice of Democracy-November 1
Patriots' Pen Youth Essay-November 1
Scouting Scholarship-March 1
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives.
In addition, the VFW honors an outstanding scout through the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program.
Besides the VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.
Voice of Democracy
Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Target.
The VOD program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
How to Enter: Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. you can also fill out the form attatched here, or call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117.
Patriot's Pen
Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the contest.
Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
Student Information: Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to Middletown VFW Post.. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. Mail entry form and essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.
Patriotic Art Scholarships
Annually, the Ladies Auxiliary sponsors a Patriotic Art contest for students in grades 9 thru 12. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary participates locally in this worthy program, and would like to invite you to submit your artwork.
In addition to local level and state awards, your artwork could be advanced to the national level and compete for these scholarship prizes!
$10,000.........................................First-Place Scholarship
$ 5,000....................................Second-Place Scholarship
$ 2,500........................................Third-Place Scholarship