VFW Voice of Democracy
2025-2026 Competition
2025-2026 Competition
Established in 1947
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American Journalist Charles Kuralt was once a winner of the VFW's Voice of Democracy competition when he was a young man. |
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April 14, 2026: For the Voice of Democracy competition, "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" And the national winner is in! Congratulations to Olivia Drewniak from Bath, Maine. She will receive a $35,000 scholarship!
Hear her speech below. |
January 17, 2026: Minnesota VFW Midwinter conference.
The Minnesota first place Voice of Democracy winner was Nandana Nambier, a sophomore at Mounds View High School.
The 6th District Voice of Democracy winner was Kierra Lease from Litchfield. She took 4th place in state. completion.
(l-r) 3rd place Isabella Brinkman, 2nd place Samuel Fairchild and 1st place Mullen Bratney on November 11, 2025.
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November 5, 2025: Eight entries were received this year. Winners received their awards at the November 11th Brainerd VFW meeting.
Mullen Bratney, a 10th grade student at the Brainerd High School, was the 1st place winner. His prize is $300, and he will go on to district competition. The essay theme was, "How Are You showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" |
Mullen Bratney
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I'm a high school student in the United States, a country of hope and opportunity. I serve on the board of the Key Club at my school, and I'm a part of a generation of young people growing up at a point in history when what we think, how we act, and what we believe is more significant than ever before. We as Americans are obliged to show patriotism-not as a display, but as something genuine. Something felt. To me, patriotism isn't blind obedience. Patriotism is love-a love that is active, engaged, and real. It's not just standing during the pledge or before the flag. It's loving this nation enough to get involved, to serve, and to attempt to make it a little better. Part of my patriotism is based on something more profound than what I'm doing today-it is based on where I come from. My family came to this country with almost nothing. Like millions of others, they arrived with hope, not guarantees. They had to fight a lot to build a life for themselves. They didn't inherit stability, security, and prosperity. They constructed it. Brick by brick, job by job, sacrifice by sacrifice. They asked for little-only an opportunity. And this nation, with all of its problems and difficulties, provided them with that opportunity. So when I consider what being patriotic means, I consider them. I consider the risks they took so that I might have opportunities that they never had. I consider the language they struggled to learn, the endless hours they worked, the discrimination they endured, and the fact that they persisted anyway to be a testimony to their true hope, true patriotism, for our country. They believed in the promise of this country, even when it did not always believe in them. I find that amazing. And it fuels the way I live today. I do not trivialize their sacrifices. When I work hard in school, when I volunteer through Key Club, when I serve others, when I speak out on issues that I am passionate about-I do so because I hold their story with me. It's easy to be cynical towards an imperfect nation. But when I consider the history of my family and the millions of other immigrants that made this country, I don't feel cynical-I feel accountable. Accountable for standing up for what they built. For continuing the struggle to preserve the freedom, opportunity, and justice they dreamed of. For making their efforts count. And I'm not just paying homage to my heritage. I'm building the foundation for the future. Right now, being a student is my occupation. It's significant because when I study-not memorize-I gain in-depth knowledge, and I'm positioning myself to repay this country. I could be a teacher, a doctor, a leader, anything I want, but I want to be someone who pays the favor forward. That's the America that I believe we are meant to create-one where we're there for each other and build something greater than ourselves together.
In Key Club, our motto is "Caring-Our Way of Life." Those five words sum up everything about how I try to live my patriotism. Volunteering in my community, serving others, taking the initiative-that's how I show love for my country. Not just with feeling it, but doing something about it. When I pick up trash in a park, organize a food drive, or give time to help others, I'm not just giving back- I'm paying it forward. I'm constructing the country my ancestors believed in. I believe patriotism is also honesty. America's past is complicated-some parts beautiful, some ugly. To be in love with this country does not mean one pretends the ugly parts away. It means facing them, learning from them, and growing. That is what it takes to truly be in love with someone-not to deny, but to grow. When I stand up to talk about inequality, about justice, about the reforms we need-I'm not being unfaithful. I'm doing what every generation before my own felt the need to do: take the promise of America and move it forward. And though I'm not old enough to vote yet, I'm already learning how to be a responsible citizen. I stay informed. I know what's happening in government. I learn from people who are not like me. Because one day in the future, I'll have the power to vote, to lead, and to shape this country's destiny. And when that day comes, I want to be ready-not just for myself, but for the generations to come, carrying on the journey of the settlers, pioneers, and immigrants who sacrificed so much to help shape this great nation. To the world, I have to say this: patriotism doesn't look the same for everyone. To me, it looks like a teenager doing an all-nighter studying because his great-grandparents never got the chance to attend high school. It looks like a Key Club board member is showing up early to set up tables for a community service project. It looks like a young person choosing to believe that, despite all that is wrong with the world, this country is still worth believing in. I am young. I am still learning. But I care for my country enough that I want it to be better. I care for it enough that I would serve it-not merely with words, but with actions. With gratitude. With hope. With all that our forebearers gave us, and all that I intend to give back.
In Key Club, our motto is "Caring-Our Way of Life." Those five words sum up everything about how I try to live my patriotism. Volunteering in my community, serving others, taking the initiative-that's how I show love for my country. Not just with feeling it, but doing something about it. When I pick up trash in a park, organize a food drive, or give time to help others, I'm not just giving back- I'm paying it forward. I'm constructing the country my ancestors believed in. I believe patriotism is also honesty. America's past is complicated-some parts beautiful, some ugly. To be in love with this country does not mean one pretends the ugly parts away. It means facing them, learning from them, and growing. That is what it takes to truly be in love with someone-not to deny, but to grow. When I stand up to talk about inequality, about justice, about the reforms we need-I'm not being unfaithful. I'm doing what every generation before my own felt the need to do: take the promise of America and move it forward. And though I'm not old enough to vote yet, I'm already learning how to be a responsible citizen. I stay informed. I know what's happening in government. I learn from people who are not like me. Because one day in the future, I'll have the power to vote, to lead, and to shape this country's destiny. And when that day comes, I want to be ready-not just for myself, but for the generations to come, carrying on the journey of the settlers, pioneers, and immigrants who sacrificed so much to help shape this great nation. To the world, I have to say this: patriotism doesn't look the same for everyone. To me, it looks like a teenager doing an all-nighter studying because his great-grandparents never got the chance to attend high school. It looks like a Key Club board member is showing up early to set up tables for a community service project. It looks like a young person choosing to believe that, despite all that is wrong with the world, this country is still worth believing in. I am young. I am still learning. But I care for my country enough that I want it to be better. I care for it enough that I would serve it-not merely with words, but with actions. With gratitude. With hope. With all that our forebearers gave us, and all that I intend to give back.
Samuel Fairchild, 11th grade at Aitkin High School, 2nd place, $250.
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Isabella Brinkman, 12th grade at Pillager High School, 3rd place, $200.
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(l-r) KLIZ-FM morning host Zach Mahoney, Mac MacDonald and Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons.
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The interview was aired on KLIZ-FM Radio on October 3, 2025.
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2022-2023 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2021-2022 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2020-2021 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2019-2020 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2018-2019 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2017-2018 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2016-2017 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2015-2016 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2021-2022 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2020-2021 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2019-2020 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2018-2019 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2017-2018 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2016-2017 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
2015-2016 VFW Voice of Democracy National Winner
4th and 5th graders participate in the Essay Competition
Students in grades 6 - 8 competed in the Patriot's Pen competition
Scouts K-12 compete for Scout of the Year
Students in grades 6 - 8 competed in the Patriot's Pen competition
Scouts K-12 compete for Scout of the Year
