Our Programs

Patriots Pen

Each year more than 165,400 students in grades 6-8 enter the 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. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen entry form as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31.

Voice of Democracy

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $30,000 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-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy entry form as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31.

Teacher of the Year

Without our nation’s veterans, America wouldn't be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America.

Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects elementary, middle, and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program.

Please review the new rules and eligibility requirements and, we should have the 2021 nomination form available shortly so you can nominate a teacher you know. Teacher nomination entries must be received at a local participating VFW Post by the Oct. 31 deadline.

National Military Services Provides for Veterans

Sometimes even a hero needs help. Often times, the people willing to give up everything for our country have to make sacrifices that affect their personal lives and the lives of their families. That is where the VFW’s National Military Services (NMS) comes in. 

NMS consists of three main programs that exist to provide assistance for veterans and military personnel: 

• Military Assistance Program (MAP), 

• VFW Operation UplinkTM

• Unmet Needs.

Each program has its own specific functions

to serve our nation’s military. 

• The MAP program connects the VFW with the military community. VFW Posts, Districts and Departments receive grants from the program to promote involvement. One of the most popular ways this is done is by adopting a unit, where the Post, District or Department raises funds for troops overseas and supports them with care packages, cards, etc.

• Operation Uplink is a program that provides troops in Afghanistan and Kuwait with Free Call Days that allow them to call home to the U.S. for free for as long as they can talk. This program has connected over 7.2 million deployed service members to their loved ones since 2006.

• The Unmet Needs program provides grants to the service members and their families to assist with qualifying financial hardships. The money is distributed directly to creditors to help the family through their hardship. Over 3,300 grants have been provided to military families since 2004. 

More than 80 percent of support received from VFW members and patriotic Americans is applied directly to veterans’ services, community service, legislative advocacy and military service programs like these. The VFW and its National Military Services work hard to make sure that NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS. 

To learn more about the VFW National Military Services programs, click here.