$40,000 in Prizes Available to Winners of VFW Essay Contests for Students

To the editor:
 
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, via the O.K. Ingram Ship 1774 and its Ladies Auxiliary in La Mesa, annually provide scholarship and award opportunities.  The Patriot’s Pen Award is available to those in grades 6-8.  The Voice of Democracy Program is available to those in grades 9-12.  The Teachers Award Program is available in three categories of teachers:  K-5, 6 to 8, and 9-12 grades.
 
The theme for the VFW Patriot’s Pen Award is for grades 6-8 who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories is:   “Are you proud of your country?”  The award for the national winner is a $10,000 U.S. savings bond that does not include the awards provided by the winners of the post, district and state awards.   

The theme for the VFW Voice of Democracy Award is for grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories is:  “Is there pride in serving in our military?”  The award for the national winner is $30,000, which does not include the awards provided by the winners of the post, district and state awards.   
 
The VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award offers an excellent avenue to recognize and applaud those teachers who believe that American history and patriotism are worthy subjects to be taught in their classrooms. Awards are available at three different levels of the judging; kindergarten to fifth grade, 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade.  Teachers may be nominated by anyone other than themselves.
 
In all cases, strictly abide by the information in the attached and use the program entry form hereby provided.  ALL Scholarship and award submittals are to be provided directly to La Mesa’s VFW O.K. Ingram Ship 1774. 

Submittals by mail to:  P.O. Box 265, La Mesa, CA 91944-0265.  Submittals in person can be brought to the American Legion Building at 8118 University Ave., La Mesa, CA which also hosts the VFW O.K. Ingram Ship 1774.
 
Should you need information personally, call the Ship’s Captain Jack Porath at 858-454-6801.   Submittals must be received no later than Nov. 1, 2011.

Jack Porath, captain
O.K. Ingram Ship 1774, La Mesa