A national essay competition for middle schoolers.
What Patriot's Pen Is
Patriot’s Pen is the VFW’s national essay competition for middle school students, asking young writers to respond to a patriotic theme chosen each year by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. It is one of the largest youth writing programs in the country, reaching students across all 50 states and U.S. territories. The VFW Foundation funds scholarship awards at every level of competition, from local Posts to the national stage.
Who Can Participate
Any student enrolled in grades 6–8 in a U.S. public, private, parochial, or home study program is eligible, including students in U.S. territories and overseas dependent schools. Students submit their essays through a local sponsoring VFW post.
How It Works
Essays are judged at four levels: Post, District, Department (state), and National. Top essays advance at each stage, with scholarship awards given along the way. The national first-place winner is announced and recognized at the VFW’s national event.
Prizes & Recognition
$5,000
Paul A. Spera Past Commander-in-Chief Award
$500+
Minimum reward of $500
~$1.2M
Across all levels
THIS YEAR’S THEME & DEADLINE
2026–2027 Theme: “What A Veteran Taught Me About America”
Deadline: Submit to a local sponsoring VFW Post by Midnight, October 31, 2026.
Past Winner Spotlight
Andrew Ge, 2025-26 National First-Place Winner
Andrew, an eighth grader from San Ramon, California, took home the $5,000 Paul A. Spera Past Commander-in-Chief Award for his essay responding to the theme “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for our Country?”
Get Involved
Corporate supporters fund the activations that make this program possible at scale.