PATRIOT PEN

 The 2026-27 Patriot's Pen Theme has been announced.

"WHAT A VETERAN TAUGHT ME ABOUT AMERICA"

 2026 - 2027 Department Patriot's Pen Program (click here)


2026-2027 Patriot's Pen Brochure


2026-2027 Patriot's Pen Student Entry Form


2026-2027 Student Biographical Questionnaire Form


2026-2027 Parental / School Release Form 


 2026-2027 VOD and Patriot's Pen Chairperson's Guide


2026-2027 Patriot's Pen National Scholarship Awards Listing


2026-2027 Patriot's Pen Judging Guidelines


2026-2027 Patriot's Pen Judges Scoresheet


Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest nationally, for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. 

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. 

 

The 2025 - 2026 State of Michigan Patriot Pen Program judging was completed in December.  On January 31, 2026 the State winner was announced at the State Mid-Winter Conference award banquet honoring this year's three Teachers of the Year and the VOD State winner and the Patriot Pen State winner.
 
And the 2025-26 Patriot Pen State winner is:
Brandon Darnell, representing District 11, sponsored by VFW Post 5738, Clare
Brandon will received the $1,000 Wes Longenbach Memorial Award.  Brandon will now complete in the National competition against 51 other Department winners for the VFW National award of $5,000.


 

Michael Martin, Director
199 East 34th St, Apt 2
Holland MI 49423
616-594-9151
 
Nicole Koutz, Auxiliary Chairman
410 N Clinton St
St Louis,  MI  48880
989-620-6425
turtlelee@hotmail.com

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

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State Adjutant shares in-person memory of 1982 DC Vietnam Memorial dedication

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National News

Important info from National VFW

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