PATRIOT PEN

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

"WHAT A VETERAN TAUGHT ME ABOUT AMERICA"

 

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

scholarships@vfwmi.vet

 

Dee Ann Miller, Auxiliary Chair

5742 Harrison St

Garden City,  MI  48135

313-570-4525

deeannm1@yahoo.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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