Student Entry Deadline: October 31, 2026 Patriotic Essay Competition Grand Prize: $5,000 Award Each year, more than 800,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1 million in local and national awards. Each first place VFW Department (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. Students interested in participating must submit their essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed 2026-2027 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. Find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
About the 2025-2026 winner ... Andrew Ge, an eighth grade student from San Ramon, California, was named the 2025-2026 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Ge was sponsored by San Ramon Valley VFW Post 75 located in Danville, California.
Watch as Ge delivered his winning essay during the 2026 VFW Parade of Winners ceremony that was streamed live from the Union League of Philadelphia, or read his essay here. See the complete list of 2026 national winners."What a Veteran Taught Me About America”
