VFW Post holding writing contests

Idaho students in grades 6-12 in the West Bonner County area can earn awards and scholarships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen competitions beginning in October. The first step is getting an entry form and contest rules.

Each year, students enrolled in a public, private, parochial high schools or a home-study program can enter to win a share of more than $3 million in scholarships and incentives awards. The first step is to participate in Priest River’s VFW Post 2909 contest.

“We thank teachers and leaders for the time, effort and commitment they invest in our students each year,” said Commander Joe English from VFW Post 2909. “By supporting them, you could possibly help them get a visit to Washington, D.C., and more.”

This year’s theme for the Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition and the Patriot’s Pen written competition is “What Makes America Great.”

Local first-place winners in each competition will receive $50 and compete at the VFW district level. Each state first-place winners go to Washington, D.C., with the chance of receiving up to a $30,000 scholarship.

For the first time, a local certified/licensed elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics will receive $50 and the opportunity to be nominated for the VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. The national winner receives a $1,000 award for professional development expenses, a $1,000 award for his/her school, and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference to receive their award.

Parents and students can get entry forms from VFW Post 2909 at VFWPost2909@gmail.com or at their local school office. For more information, go to www.vfw.org/VOD/.

The deadline for submitting essays to VFW Post 2909 is Oct. 31.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation’s largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans organization. With nearly 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,700 posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, go online to vfw.org.