VFW accepting entries for scholarships

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is now accepting entries for the 2014-15 VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen scholarship competitions.

The announcement comes three weeks after students took home $3 million in scholarships and awards from last year's competitions.

The contests are dedicated to promoting patriotism among our nation's youth. Students are asked to submit an essay in response to a question or statement on a subject which prompts them to consider how democratic ideals and principles apply to their lives.

This year's Voice of Democracy theme asks students to explain "Why Veterans are Important to our Nation's History and Future." The Voice of Democracy scholarship competition is an audio-essay competition open to students in grades 9-12. The national winner will receive the $30,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship Award.

The Patriot's Pen competition is open to students in grades 6-8. This year, students are asked to reflect on the statement, "Why I Appreciate America's Veterans." The national winner will receive a $5,000 award.

People interested in learning more about the program can visit: www.vfw.org/Community/Programs.

Participants are asked to submit their entry - including a completed entry form - to their participating local VFW Post by Nov. 1. Essays can be sent to VFW Post #35, 217 E. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO 65101. For more information, call 635-2341.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization comprised of combat veterans and eligible military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans' organization.