The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Voice of Democracy Competition is an annual scholarship program that aims to encourage high school students to express themselves through patriotic-themed essays and speeches. The program is open to students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school, or home study program in the United States.
The VFW Voice of Democracy Competition has been in existence since 1947 and is aimed at promoting patriotism and civic responsibility among young people. The program is run at the local, state, and national level, with winners from the local and state levels advancing to the national level competition.
The VFW also offers other scholarship programs, including the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest for students in grades 6-8, and the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Program for student veterans pursuing degrees in political science or a related field.