VFW Post 3513 is honored to recognize the outstanding youth who participated in this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs, flagship scholarship contests of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that encourage students nationwide to explore patriotic themes through written and audio essays. The strong turnout at our Post created a highly competitive field, reflecting the same spirit of engagement seen across the tens of thousands of students who enter these programs each year in pursuit of educational opportunity and civic growth.​

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Each student who submitted an entry demonstrated real courage by sharing personal thoughts on patriotism, citizenship, and service, then measuring those ideas against those of their peers, just as students do at the Post, District, Department, and National levels of these contests. For some, this was a first experience in a formal competition; for others, it felt like familiar territory, but every participant added a unique voice that strengthened our community’s understanding of what it means to support and love our country today.​

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Post 3513 is deeply grateful to every student, family member, educator, and VFW and Auxiliary volunteer who helped make this year’s program possible, mirroring the nationwide effort that sustains these long‑standing scholarships year after year. The fresh perspectives, honest reflections, and hopeful recommendations offered by these young leaders give our community confidence that America’s future is in capable hands, aligning with the VFW’s mission to cultivate informed, engaged citizens ready to lead.

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