The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. VFW Post 4669 encourages participation from local students for the ‘Voice of Democracy’ and ‘Patriot’s Pen’ contests. Belt High School and Middle School instructor Karl Koontz has his students participate every year, and our post gets some great work from his students. We presented awards to the winners in each contest at their Awards Assembly on May 16, 2022.

Voice of Democracy

Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the VFW’s premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme was “America: Where Do We Go from Here?”

Students for Belt High School participated in the post’s contest this year: First Place winner Jon Highfill was awarded $200, Second Place winner Ahmia Lords was awarded $175 and Third Place winner Molly Osterman was awarded $125. All were awarded certificates presented by Post Commander Frank Tuss and Post Chaplin Jim Porter.

A Special Award of Distinction for being an Outstanding Young Spokesperson of the Future was given to special student David Wall. He was cheered by the students present at the assembly for his award.

Patriot’s Pen

Each year, middle school students across the nation compete in this contest. 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 theme this year was “How Can I Be a Good American?”

The Belt Middle School students that placed were: First Place winner Haidyn Visocan was awarded $100, Second Place winner Aizalyn Flaten was awarded $75 and Third Place winner Dawson Iverson was awarded $50. All were awarded certificates presented by Post Commander Frank Tuss and Post Chaplin Jim Porter.

What’s Coming Up?

For the Voice of Democracy, the 2022-23 theme is: “Why is the Veteran Important?” The application deadline to our post is October 31, 2022. High school students can download the application form here.

For the Patriot’s Pen, the 2022-23 theme is: “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” The application deadline to our post is October 31, 2022. Middle school students can download the application form here.