Adult Award Opportunities:

Teacher of the Year

Law Enforcement Award

Firefighter Gold Medal Award

Scholarship Opportunities:

Veterans' Tribute Scholarship

Patriot's Pen or Voice of Democracy

Deadline for both scholarships is November 1, 2006.

The VFW annually provides $3 million in scholarships. For details on the scholarships and eligibility information please select one or the links above.

The Voice of Democracy is an annual national audio essay contest that is designed to foster patriotism by giving high school students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to voice their opinion about their personal obligations as an American and address their responsibility to our country. Created in 1947, the scholarship program annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. Contestants write and record a three to five minute essay on an annual theme.

Each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus the opportunity to compete for national scholarships. The first-place national winner receives a $25,000 scholarship. All national scholarships are paid directly to the American university, college or vocational/technical school as selected by the recipient.

All scholarship funding is held at National Headquarters in escrow for 10 years from high school graduation. The funds, which are disbursed as needed, may be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees or other items relating specifically to the student's formal education. Clothing, room and board and pocket money are not considered authorized expenditures.

The 2006-2007 theme is "Freedom’s Challenge".
Deadline for entries is Nov. 1, 2006.

http://www.vfw.org/resources/pdf/vod.pdf

Patriot's Pen

Patriot's Pen, a youth essay writing contest, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6th, 7th and 8th the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Last year, more than 106,000 students participated in the annual contest. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top 28 national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

The 2006-2007 theme is "Citizenship in America?"
The deadline is November 1, 2006.

http://www.vfw.org/resources/pdf/patriotspen.pdf

Veterans' Tribute Scholarship

The Veterans' Tribute Scholarship is available to children and grandchildren, ages 15 through 18, of all U.S. military veterans, active duty, Reserves and National Guard.

First place is $10,000; second place is $5,000 and third place is $3,000.

Points are given to entrants based on their personal academic achievement, family VFW involvement and their parent's or grandparent's military service.

Entrants requesting consideration for the national scholarship program must complete the entry form  http://www.vfw.org/pdf/tribute.pdf and review the scoring sheet on page 2 of the entry form. Complete the form, attach documents verifying the facts related on the entry form and send the entire packet to:

Veterans' Tribute Scholarship
VFW National Headquarters
406 West 34th Street, Suite 902
Kansas City, MO 64111The deadline for entries occurs annually on December 31.

Winners will be informed by certified mail during the first quarter of the following year. Entries are judged solely on the basis of the points given for information provided on the entry form and verified by the documentation included. This documentation is the sole responsibility of the entrant.

VFW judges may verify the validity of the documentation provided but will not seek additional documentation. The winner's scholarships apply only to tuition and fees and will be paid directly to the academic institution selected by the winner upon receipt of documented enrollment.

Questions can be sent to: SWilson@vfw.org       

Teacher of the Year Award

The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions. Nearly 1,000 teachers are nominated from every state, the District of Columbia and overseas. Fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals can submit nominations by November 1 to your local Post. To find out a Post in your area, contact your State Headquarters.

VFW's National citizenship education teacher awards include:

• $1,000 cash award for professional development to each of the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 teachers;

• $1,000 award for each winning teacher's school;

• Plaques for both the winning teacher and school;

• An all-expense-paid trip to attend the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary National Community Service Conference in Washington, D.C. Teachers who win first place in each category will be invited to conduct a workshop at the conference.

Submission deadline: November 1st
http://www.vfw.org/pdf/teachersawardform.pdf

Law Enforcement Award

The VFW’s National Council of Administration originally adopted this award in 1966. This award is presented to an individual for his/her outstanding service in the field of law enforcement.

Each Department Commander is asked to select the Department’s single, most worthy candidate. The individual is chosen by the Department and submitted as the Department’s nominee. The award is
presented in August, 2005 during the National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Deadline Dates: Post to Department: January 1
Department to National: February 1
(Departments may submit only one nominee.)



Firefighter Gold Medal Award

The Firefighter Gold Medal Award includes all individuals who actively fight fires as a member of any public or volunteer company. Each Department Commander is asked to select the Department’s single,
most worthy candidate. The individual is chosen by the Department and submitted as the Department’s nominee. The award is
presented in August, 2005 during the National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Deadline Dates: Post to Department: January 1
Department to National: February 1
(Departments may submit only one nominee.)

More information can be found in the Chairmen’s Ideabook for Recognition Activities; to receive an Ideabook please send your mailing address via email to: mailto:SWilson@vfw.org