Chairman
Faye Rush
Each of our National Scholarships encourages Patriotism and assists with secondary educational expenses. By educating our youth, our members and our families, we ensure they have the means to fulfill their potential, as they are the future of this Nation.
Our Scholarships Program also has the potential to introduce the important work we do in our communities and school districts. Our VFW and Auxiliary Team, promoting each contest and encouraging all to participate, can strongly influence parents, students, and teachers alike. And our yearly goal is always to make these Scholarship available to more and more students!
We can "Let Freedom Ring,” because of the sacrifices Veterans willingly made for us. When we are "Banding Together for Our Veterans” we acknowledge the debt of gratitude we will forever owe them!
Our goal every year, is to make each of these Scholarship Competitions available to more and more students! We need every Pennsylvania VFW and Auxiliary doing their best to participate and promote each contest to the best of their abilities
Voice of Democracy
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.3 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
Patriot's Pen
Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!
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.
