2009-2010 Theme "When is the Right Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?" Entry Deadline Nov. 1, 2009 Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate 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 national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. For more information contact VFW National Headquarters or Post Commander: Charles Edwards 801 319-4321 Student Information: Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post.  For entry form, click here. Mail entry form and essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.