Veteran Organizations Sponsor Student Essay Contests

Veteran organizations are much more than folks attending a meeting and afterwards sharing old tales from days gone by.

Rather, most Veteran "clubs" sponsor various activities that are designed to strenghen the bond between the club and the community. Such an activity is an annual essay contest with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. These essay contests are for the students in the junior high and high school grades. Themes for the essays are age/grade appropiate and are consistent nationwide.

There are slight differences in each program. The American Legion's is strictly written while the VFW's is written, but submitted as a speech. The intent of both programs is to allow the students to focus on the stated theme and then articulate their opinions in the essay. Hence, the individual student has an opportunity to develop his/her critical skills thought processes.

Not to be unmentioned of course is the monetary value of each program. Both essay programs commence at the local post level. For the VFW( Post 10778 of Western Springs), the selected student at the Jr.High( The Patriots Pen) receives a $100.00 bond and advances to a district and hopefully state and national levels.

The winner of the national contest receives a $10,000.00 scholarship. On a High School level (Voice of Democracy), the selected student receives a $500 bond and advances to the district and hopefully the state and national levels as well. The winner of the national contest receives a $30,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice.

There are other place winners as well at the state and national levels. As one advances to the state and national levels, the student along with Mom and Dad are guests of the VFW and are offered the opportunity to visit respective State and National Capitals.

The American Legion( Post 1941, LaGrange) offers similar opportunities at the post, district, state and national levels. Applications for each program are available at the local junior high schools and Lyons Township High School. Points of contact for each program are: 

VFW: Fred Rodriquez, Phd. Ed:  246 4022

American Legion: Nancy Hahn: c/o the American Legion 354 3300 or coulterpost1941.org  click on auxiliary

Until next time

chuck bosko