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 regard to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 students in the 9th through 12th grade from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships ranges from $1,000 - $21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Voice of Democracy applications must be received by VFW Post 1503 by midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The 2025-2026 theme is:
How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?
Apply for VFW Post 1503's VOD program online via ScholarsApp by clicking here.
PATRIOTS PEN
Each year, nearly 68,800 students in 6th through 8th grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 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. Patriot's Pen applications must be received by VFW Post 1503 by midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The 2025-2026 theme is:
How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?
Apply for VFW Post 1503's Pats Pen program online via ScholarsApp by clicking here.
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 for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW annually recognizes each state's top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics—at least half of the school day in a classroom environment—and promote America’s history, traditions and institutions effectively. In 350 words or less, describe why you feel your nominee (to include self-nomination) is deserving of the award based on the following categories: Citizenship, Innovation, Resources, and Passion. Fill out the 2025-2026 form.
Note: Nominations can be submitted self-nominations, fellow teachers, supervisors, family members or other interested individuals.
Teacher of Year applications must be received by VFW Post 1503 by midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025.
We encourage students to apply online via ScholarsApp, our new online scholarship application site, using the links provided above. We will still accept Student submissions for
Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen via mail, email, or being dropped off at the Post. We will accept all Teacher submissions for
Teacher of Year program via mail, email, or being dropped of at the Post. For the appropriate email to send submissions, refer to our Contacts page
here to contact the Post. To mail submissions to the Post, use the following:
VFW Post 1503
Attn: Post Surgeon
14631 Minnieville Road
Dale City, VA 22193
