Who May Enter?
Patriot's Pen is open to students in grades 6-8 who are enrolled by
the October 31 deadline in a public, private or parochial school in the
United States, its territories or possessions. Home-schooled students
and dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel attending overseas
schools may also enter.
U.S. citizenship is not required. However, entrants must be lawful
permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence, with the
application not denied, and intend to become U.S. citizens when legally
permitted.
Not eligible: Foreign exchange students are not
eligible to participate.
Essay Requirements
- The essay must be written by the student and reflect the student's own thinking.
- Inappropriate use of ChatGPT or other artificial-intelligence tools is not allowed.
- The essay must be typed in English.
- The essay must contain between 300 and 400 words, with a maximum variance of 5 words.
- The essay title and properly added footnotes do not count toward the word total.
- Every other word is counted regardless of length.
- Do not use color or graphics in the essay.
- The approach to the annual theme should be positive and clearly focused.
- Poetry is not accepted.
- Quotations may be used sparingly and must be clearly identified.
- A teacher, counselor or parent may check punctuation, grammar and spelling, but the essay content must remain the student's work.
- Students are judged on the written essay and are not required to present it orally.
- A completed official entry form must be attached as the essay's cover sheet.
- Students may enter only once and through one participating VFW Post each year.
Keep the Essay Anonymous
Do not place the student's name on the essay. The official entry form
serves as the essay's cover sheet and should be secured to the front of
the essay.
To ensure fair and impartial judging, do not include the student's name,
address, school name or other personal identifiers in the body of the
essay. References to race, sex, religion, national origin or other
characteristics that could reveal the student's identity should also be
avoided. General references to being American, American values or
patriotic identity are permitted when relevant to the theme.
How to Enter
- Write an original essay addressing the annual theme.
- Confirm that the essay meets the 300- to 400-word requirement.
- Complete the official Patriot's Pen entry form displayed above.
- Use the entry form as the cover sheet for the essay.
- Submit the completed entry to VFW Post 8905 by midnight on October 31, 2026.
VFW Post 8905 will provide submission instructions. Entries may be
delivered in person, submitted electronically with Post permission or
submitted through Scholar's App using the Post's authorized link or
QR code.
Important: Entries sent directly to VFW National
Headquarters will not be considered. All entries must begin at the
participating VFW Post level.
Judging Criteria
Knowledge of the Theme - 30 Points
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theme and evidence that
the subject was carefully researched.
Theme Development - 35 Points
Address the important facts surrounding the theme, including who,
what, where, when and why, and relate the theme to personal experiences.
Clarity of Ideas - 35 Points
Present the essay in a clear, easy-to-understand format that leaves
the reader with a strong understanding of the student's explanation.
Advancement
All entries begin at the VFW Post level. One Post winner for every 15
entries may advance to the VFW District competition. One District winner
advances to the VFW Department, or state, competition. The first-place
Department winner then advances to national judging.
Decisions made by judges at every level are final. Students should
contact the Post through which they entered for information about their
advancement.
Awards
Awards may be presented at the Post, District, Department and national
levels. Department winners share in $55,000 in national awards. National
winners receive at least $500, and the national first-place winner
receives $5,000.
