The Patriot’s Pen Program is an annual essay competition created by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1995.  This program is open to any student in grades 6-8 who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial middle school or home study program in the United States and its territories.  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.  Each year, more than 73,000 students enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of $55,000 in state and national awards.  Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place wins $5,000.