VFW Patriot's Pen 2021-2022
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This annual competition is for students Iiving within 50 miles of Brainerd, Minnesota. It is writing a 300-to-400-word essay by students in grades 6 - 8. Judging is based on theme knowledge, development and clarity of ideas. Local prizes are $100, $150 and $200. Nationally $5,000.
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Mimi Bueckers, Pine River, MN
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November 8, 2021: First Place Brainerd VFW 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen Winner. Mimi Bueckers received $200.00.
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America was founded on the belief that all people are created equal and that each person has the right to freedoms. Some American ideals are democracy, liberty, opportunity, and equality. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, " is engraved on the Statue of Liberty. Americans are compassionate, helpful, caring, and want good for all people. By using these American ideals of equality, serving others, and persistence, I can be a good American.
I can treat others with respect and with the knowledge that we are all created equally. I think that sometimes Americans forget that we are all equal, which is one of the biggest problems in our country today. Too many Americans treat others rudely just because they look different, have different color skin, believe in different things, or are from different backgrounds. I can be a good example for others by being respectful to everyone even if they are different. "E Pluribus Unum" is America's motto, it means "out of many, one' ' . The United States is a nation of immigrants; of different races, languages, religion, and traditions, but we still all come together united. I can be a good American by recognizing other people's differences but still seeing them as a person and as an American.
I can be a good American by serving others. Volunteerism is a big American value. Good Americans are always willing to help others without expecting to be paid. By volunteering and helping others freely, I can be a better American.
Americans have always had persistence and a good attitude when it comes to getting things done. I can be a good American by continuing this tradition in my own life. There are times when I am tired and feel I can 't accomplish the task at hand, but if I put my mind and heart into it, I know I can do it. Americans have the ideal that anything is possible and that's a wonderful thought to have. I can accomplish things with persistence and perseverance.
Being a good American means having many good values. I can be a good American by using my values and treating others with respect and equality, by serving others in need, and by having persistence. America is a wonderful nation and I am happy to contribute to it by being a good American.
I can treat others with respect and with the knowledge that we are all created equally. I think that sometimes Americans forget that we are all equal, which is one of the biggest problems in our country today. Too many Americans treat others rudely just because they look different, have different color skin, believe in different things, or are from different backgrounds. I can be a good example for others by being respectful to everyone even if they are different. "E Pluribus Unum" is America's motto, it means "out of many, one' ' . The United States is a nation of immigrants; of different races, languages, religion, and traditions, but we still all come together united. I can be a good American by recognizing other people's differences but still seeing them as a person and as an American.
I can be a good American by serving others. Volunteerism is a big American value. Good Americans are always willing to help others without expecting to be paid. By volunteering and helping others freely, I can be a better American.
Americans have always had persistence and a good attitude when it comes to getting things done. I can be a good American by continuing this tradition in my own life. There are times when I am tired and feel I can 't accomplish the task at hand, but if I put my mind and heart into it, I know I can do it. Americans have the ideal that anything is possible and that's a wonderful thought to have. I can accomplish things with persistence and perseverance.
Being a good American means having many good values. I can be a good American by using my values and treating others with respect and equality, by serving others in need, and by having persistence. America is a wonderful nation and I am happy to contribute to it by being a good American.
Soren Benson, Pillager, MN
November 8, 2021, Second Place Brainerd VFW 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen Winner. Soren received $150.00.
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Annemarie Cady, Crosby, MN
November 8, 2021, Third Place Brainerd VFW 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen Winner. Annemarie received $100.00.
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April 1, 2021: The 2020-2021 theme was "What is Patriotism to me?" The first place national VFW Patriot Pen winner was Wyatt Perkins, from Maryville, North Dakota. He was awarded $5,000. Fourth place was Julianna Stacey, from Long Prairie, MN. Her prize was $2,750. She placed fourth in national competition.
Alex Lelwica
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The 2020-2021 First Place winner at the Brainerd VFW was Alex Lelwica, an 8th grader at St. Francis of the Lakes School in Brainerd. His essay was entered into the Minnesota 6th District Patriot's Pen competition. The theme: "What is Patriotism to Me?"
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Patriotism to me is being proud to be a part of a country. For example, I'm proud to live in The United States of America where we get to choose who leads us and where we get to live freely. We have brave men and woman who fight for us and this is when you know you have something good. That is something that people are willing to fight and die for.
One of the many privileges of living in this amazing nation is the ability to elect our leaders. We get to decide who we want to make laws on our behalf. Therefore, our leaders are a representation of who we are as a people. We should learn to be accepting of the mistakes our leaders make. That to me is patriotism. It is where we can devote ourselves to building our country and voting to make it what you want it to be.
Another privilege is the ability to do what we want. We are given so many rights in this country that people take for granted. Even the content of the newspaper is a gift granted by our government that a lot of countries don’t enjoy. We live in a place where we get to decide what we do with our life and it isn’t controlled by other people. That to me is patriotism. To be free and still use that freedom to love your country as citizens.
A third privilege is that there are men and woman in foreign lands that put their lives on the line to protect all citizens rights. They constantly put themselves in danger for us. I’m honored to live in a country that is so good people are willing to die for it. When we are trying to be stopped from freeing people and letting everyone be equals, we still fight back no matter what. All this is patriotism to me. We live in a country so great that amazing men and woman are willing to put themselves in danger and die for this nation!
Overall patriotism to me isn’t one individual thing. It is everything. From the little to big things that together make me so proud of The United States of America. It is the people that make this country something to be proud of. This all is patriotism to me.
One of the many privileges of living in this amazing nation is the ability to elect our leaders. We get to decide who we want to make laws on our behalf. Therefore, our leaders are a representation of who we are as a people. We should learn to be accepting of the mistakes our leaders make. That to me is patriotism. It is where we can devote ourselves to building our country and voting to make it what you want it to be.
Another privilege is the ability to do what we want. We are given so many rights in this country that people take for granted. Even the content of the newspaper is a gift granted by our government that a lot of countries don’t enjoy. We live in a place where we get to decide what we do with our life and it isn’t controlled by other people. That to me is patriotism. To be free and still use that freedom to love your country as citizens.
A third privilege is that there are men and woman in foreign lands that put their lives on the line to protect all citizens rights. They constantly put themselves in danger for us. I’m honored to live in a country that is so good people are willing to die for it. When we are trying to be stopped from freeing people and letting everyone be equals, we still fight back no matter what. All this is patriotism to me. We live in a country so great that amazing men and woman are willing to put themselves in danger and die for this nation!
Overall patriotism to me isn’t one individual thing. It is everything. From the little to big things that together make me so proud of The United States of America. It is the people that make this country something to be proud of. This all is patriotism to me.
2nd place, Elizabeth Sarvie, 8th grade Brainerd
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3rd place, Margaret Ringhand, 7th grade Brainerd
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2021-2022 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2020-2021 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2019-2020 National youth scholarship winners
2018-2019 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2017-2018 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2016-2017 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2015-2016 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2020-2021 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2019-2020 National youth scholarship winners
2018-2019 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2017-2018 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2016-2017 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
2015-2016 VFW National Patriot's Pen Winner
4th and 5th graders participate in the Essay Competition
Students in grades 9 - 12 are eligible to compete in the VFW's Voice of Democracy
Scouts K-12 compete for the Scout of the Year Award
Students in grades 9 - 12 are eligible to compete in the VFW's Voice of Democracy
Scouts K-12 compete for the Scout of the Year Award
