Department of Colorado VFW

No One Does More For Veterans

The Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars premier scholarship program since 1947. 9th through 12th grade students compete for more than $2.1 million in college scholarships and awards by writing and recording a broadcast script on a patriotic theme.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from Colorado wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet and other state first place winners in the national competition.

The all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. includes four fun-filled days of tours, visits to monuments, meeting with heads of state and often the President or Vice President of the United States. The National Judging is held in Washington, D.C. prior to the students' arrival and the winners are announced at a special reception in their honor. In June, each state winner is invited to the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Freedom and Leadership Youth Conference. The three-day conference allows participating students the opportunity to converse with experts on current issues of citizenship, tour the Philadelphia and Valley Forge historic sites and participate in seminars designed to develop leadership skills and understand the value of community service. The foundations of American democracy and the elements of the free enterprise system will also be explored through thought provoking lectures and workshops.


Who can enter?

The competition is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial high school or a home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or in an overseas U.S. military/civilian dependent school. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over and previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible.

What do students need to enter?

Please note that all are to be judged through the Scholars App online system who has partnered with the VFW for the Voice of Democracy program.

The 2024 - 2025 theme: "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

Read the rules and eligibility requirements

Click here for the entry form! 2024 - 2025 Voice of Democracy

Create an account or log in, then follow the directions on the forms that open. Using the Scholars App through this page will result in your entry going to the closest VFW Post from your address.

Deadline: Submit your entry to a local VFW Post via Scholarship App by October 31st.

If you have a Post you want your entry to go to, please go to that Post’s website, if needed search for it here. Find a local VFW Post at www.vfw.org/find-a-post

 

 

 

 

Each year more than 125,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $50,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March.

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.

Who can enter? The competition is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in public, private or parochial school or home study program in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools can participate too. (Foreign exchange students and former winners that placed in the National finals are excluded from the contest.)

Please note that all entries are to be submitted using the Scholar's App online system.

What do students need to do to enter? Students use the Scholar's App to submit a 300 – 400 word original essay on the theme listed below. See the rules for details.

The 2024 - 2025 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Read the rules and eligibility here.

Click here for the entry form! 2024 - 2025 Patriot's Pen

Deadline: Submit your entry to a local VFW Post by October 31st.

Find a local VFW Post at www.vfw.org/find-a-post

 

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
  • Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
  • Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

  • The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $33,000.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

  • Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught may be used.
  • Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.
  • Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board. Other entries must be matted in white. Do not use color mats. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mounted and floating mats may also be used.
  • The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, not including mat.
  • Three-dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc.
  • Pieces should be no larger than 18” in any direction.
  • Art cannot be more than 5 lbs. in weight.
  • Digital art, photography and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED.
  • Complete entry form and attach to back of entry.
  • Submit a typed explanation of patriotism expressed in art (250 words or less).


What are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?

  • March 31: Student Entry Deadline to Local VFW Auxiliary.*
  • April 10: Local VFW Auxiliary and District Judging Complete.
  • April 15: Local VFW Auxiliary and District Winners to Department (state) for Judging.*
  • May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*

* required deadlines

 

Attachments:
Download this file (FILLABLE_VFW-Auxiliary-Patriotic-Art-Brochure-and-Application.pdf)Art Entry Form[ ]2492 kB

The VFW Auxiliary is pleased to present the Continuing Education Scholarship to assist members and their immediate family members who wish to further their education by pursing a college degree or career direction at a vocational/technical school.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Applicant must be one of the following:
    • Current VFW Auxiliary Member*
    • Spouse of current VFW Auxiliary Member*
    • Son of current VFW Auxiliary Member*
    • Daughter of current VFW Auxiliary Member*
  • *Qualifying member must have been a member of the VFW Auxiliary for one (1) year by the application submission deadline.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

  • Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded each year, one in each of the four VFW Auxiliary Conferences.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

Each applicant must:

  • Answer all questions on the application.
  • Write a brief essay (no more than 300 words) describing their commitment to their goals and how this scholarship will help them attain these goals.

What are the Scholarship Deadlines?

  • July 1: Application process begins.
  • February 15: All applications must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*
  • May 1: Scholarship recipients are notified.

* required deadlines

Attachments:
Download this file (Continuing-Education-Scholarship-PRINTABLE.pdf)Application[ ]1148 kB
Annually, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States recognizes individuals who are: Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, Venture Summit Award recipients and/or Sea Scout Quartermasters who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the qualities of that rank.
 
WHO CAN ENTER
Scouts who are registered, active members of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or a Sea Scout Ship who have received the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit Award, or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award.
 
There is no minimum age requirement for applicants as long as all other eligibility criteria has been met.
 
The maximum age requirement for applicants is 18 years old and if an applicant reaches their 18th birthday during the nomination year they remain eligible as long as they are still in high school at the time of the submission deadline.
 
HOW TO ENTER
Scouts should download and submit a completed VFW Scouting Scholarship form, resume of high school activities, scouting record, community service record and letters of recommendation to a local VFW Post no later than March 1st. (NOTE: A Scout can enter through ONE VFW Post ONLY).
 
HOW IT WORKS
Local VFW Posts submit their winning candidates with full entry criteria to their respective VFW Department (State) by April 1st. Ensure that if a District judging is taking place that entries are forwarded to the District first and that enough time is allotted to ensure that the Department still receives the entry by April 1st. From there, the Department selects a winner and forwards the entry to the VFW National Headquarters by May 1st for recognition.
 
 
 
Mail Packets To:
Page Gilmore
1719 Ascot Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
 
If you have any questions contact Page Gilmore at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
 
Attachments:
Download this file (Scout of the Year Rules and Eligibility.pdf)Scout of the Year Rules & Eligibility[Scout of the Year Rules & Eligibility]342 kB
Download this file (ScoutoftheYearBrochureandEntryForm.pdf)Scout of the Year Brochure & Entry Form[Scout of the Year Brochure & Entry Form]1267 kB

To better connect with members of our communities, the Commander in Chief has instituted two new programs this year. As State Commander, I am tasked with submitting to National Headquarters nominations for Junior ROTC Cadet of the Year, Employer of the Year, and Member of the Year.

 

The criteria and full details for each award can be found on the Department Website:

JROTC Cadet of the Year - https://form.jotform.com/233414803292048

Employer of the Year - https://form.jotform.com/233414190031038

Member of the Year - https://form.jotform.com/233414968061054 

 

Nominations for the three programs are due by March 31, 2024. Department Headquarters will review all the nominees and forward the winners to Kansas City. The Colorado winners will also be invited to attend the State Convention in Cripple Creek this June.

Every Post should nominate one (1) Cadet, one (1) Employer and one (1) Member to Department but, more importantly, they should also invite their nominees to an event at the Post, provide them with a certificate, and thank them for what they are doing to support veterans (or future veterans in the case of JROTC). If a Post needs help with certificates please contact Department HQ.

I continue to believe that by engaging with the community, performing good deeds, and recognizing the efforts of others, the VFW will attract new members and encourage greater participation.