The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin actively offers youth programs. Two special programs include one for high school students (grades ninth through twelfth) and one for middle school students (grades sixth through eighth) called Patriot’s Pen.
The 2026-2027 theme is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Established in 1947, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides Georgia high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 high ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students from across the United States of America enter to win their share of more than $1.3 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000.
Download and complete the 2026-2027 Voice of Democracy entry form. Before submitting your essay, read the program rules and eligibility requirements listed on the entry form.
Make sure to have a picture for entries going to the State competition.
The 2026-2027 Voice of Democracy theme is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Email: gmem54b4h@gmail.com – Cell: 608.698.8825
Email: christinaflanagan16@gmail.com – Cell: 715.460.6540
The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial high school, or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are ineligible.
First place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship and an all-expenses paid trip to attend the Founding Forward Spirit of America Leadership trip to Valley, Forge, Pennsylvania.
Look for the Voice of Democracy in the Scholar’s App as well as VFW.org/VOD
The 2026-2027 theme is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Each year, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Wisconsin recognize exceptional middle school students through the Patriot’s Pen essay contest. Every year, nearly 70,000 students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade across the United States enter to win VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance 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!
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. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements.
Download and complete the 2026-2027 Patriot’s Pen entry form here.
Make sure to have a picture for entries going to the State competition.
The 2026-2027 Patriot’s Pen theme is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Chair – Past State Commander Gundel Metz
Phone: 608.698.8825
Email: gmem54b4h@gmail.com
Co Chair – Christina Flanagan
Phone: 715.460.6540
Email: chritinaflanagan16@outlook.com
6th, 7th, and 8th grade students properly enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home schools in Georgia are eligible to enter the Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. Foreign exchange students and former winners that placed at National finals are excluded.
First place winner receives $5,000.
Look for the Patriot’s Pen in the Scholar’s App as well as VFW.org/PatriotsPen