VFW Voice of Democracy 2025-2026
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. |
Check back in August 2026 for the next Voice of Democracy competition theme and rules.
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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The competition is for students in grades 9 - 12 living within 50 miles of Brainerd, Minnesota. It is a 3 to 5 minute written and spoken essay. Judging is based on originality, content and delivery. Local prizes are $200, $250, and $300. Nationally $35,000.
2025-2026 competition theme is, "How Are You showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" Winners from the previous year are further down this page. That should give you an idea on how to compete this year.
2025-2026 competition theme is, "How Are You showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" Winners from the previous year are further down this page. That should give you an idea on how to compete this year.
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Use bit.ly/3UwnChB or the QR code.
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Photographs of the winners will be required for social media, including this website, Facebook and the Brainerd Dispatch newspaper. Do not apply if you are not comfortable with this.
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The deadline for submission is 10 pm on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Questions, contact Mark Persons [email protected] or 218-820-0727.
The judges' decisions will be published here on or about November 15, 2025.
Winners from the previous year are further down this page. That should give you an idea on how to compete.
Questions, contact Mark Persons [email protected] or 218-820-0727.
The judges' decisions will be published here on or about November 15, 2025.
Winners from the previous year are further down this page. That should give you an idea on how to compete.
If you are unable to work with the QR code, then:
- Record the speech in .mp3 format
- Provide the text of the speech in a .doc or similar file format
- All entries must be in English
- Comply with the rules, fill out and include the entry form below:
| voice_of_democracy_rules_and_eligibility.pdf |
- Do not convert the entry form to another format.
- Mail or drop off the entry on a thumb drive to the Brainerd VFW, 309 South Sixth Street, Brainerd, MN 56401. Or you can email to: [email protected]
(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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The national 2024 - 2025 VFW Voice of Democracy winner was Tri Vu from New Hampshire.
The theme was, "Is America Today Our Forefather's Vision?" |
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January 11, 2025: Ashton Jenzen from Waseca, Minnesota, was selected the first-place winner of the annual Minnesota VFW Voice of Democracy competition. She received a scholarship of $2000 and will move on to national competition.
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November 12, 2024: The theme was, "Is America Today Our Forefather's Vision?" Entries came from Brainerd, Aitkin, Baxter, Pequot Lakes and East Gull Lake. Winners in the annual Voice of Democracy competition in Brainerd were recognized and given awards during a ceremony at the Brainerd VFW. Craig Coonan read his essay for the audience.
(l-r) 3rd place Jovey Goreham, 2nd place Jagger Klecatsky and 1st place Craig Coonan.
November 8, 2024: Craig Coonan of Brainerd, a 12th grader at Brainerd High School was declared the first-place winner of the annual Voice of Democracy competition at the Brainerd VFW. $300 plus Craig's entry will go on to 6th District VFW for judging.
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His speech --> |
Is America Today Our Forefather’s Vision?
America rivals all nations. We are bigger, better, faster, stronger, and more powerful than the rest of this planet. Our military capability is unrivaled, and our economy is as successful as can be. We have made a name for ourselves. We rose from nothing. A handful of outcasts in a foreign land with tyrannical monarchs as overwatch. Opportunity leads to growth and the chance at new life brought people into the land of the free. The handful of outcasts grew into a few good men, those men built this country and rescued us from the grip of a demon called England. For this we shall be eternally grateful. They gave us freedom. They gave us opportunity. Opportunity and freedom that are now being lessened by a group of individuals called politicians.
The Founding Fathers wrote three documents that this country is built upon. The first of which is the Declaration of Independence, the second the Constitution, and the third the Bill of Rights. In these documents there are specific rules that are to not be changed written plain as day as to the way the United States is to remain free and how it is to be run and ruled. Over the last two hundred years the constitution has been misinterpreted, the meanings of the amendments marred, and laws passed that defy these sacred texts entirely. The Fathers of this country gave us ten rights in the Bill of Rights, more added as amendments later on, rights that include but are not limited to, the right to free speech, and the right to bear arms. Both of these rights are highly debated topics in today's political field. People misinterpret the First Amendment to the Constitution in which it says, “Congress shall make no law respecting … or abridging the freedom of speech…,” Those in our country say that freedom of speech should only be freedom of speech if it does not harm others feelings, insult them, or make them feel in any way threatened. The Constitution was not written with emotions in mind, it was written with the freedom of a people in mind. Our forefathers sought it to be a specific and unchangeable fact that a citizen of the United States should be free to speak their mind in whatever way they deem fit. There are no statements declaring that freedom of speech is only limited to speech that does not contradict the thoughts of others or challenge their feelings or ideals. With this in mind does the law of hate speech violate this constitutional right of ours? That just because somebody is insulted by the way in which you are speaking can get you in lawful trouble, is this the Constitution our forefathers wrote or is this a misinterpretation and an injustice to our very own Bill of Rights?
“...The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This second Amendment is a safeguard for the people of the United States of America to protect themselves from a new tyrannical government such as the one we escaped from in the Revolutionary War. This amendment is a safeguard against people who seek to cause harm to others. The United States has many laws regarding firearms, all of which infringe upon the right to bear arms. The definition of infringement is “act so as to limit or undermine” and I believe that any law that prohibits a person from owning a firearm or prohibits the sale of certain firearms is an unconstitutional statement. the Constitution gives States the right to Pass laws about subjects that are not spoken of in the Constitution, seeing as the right to bear arms is clearly spoken in the Constitution, how is it that our country has many laws that differ from state to state on this issue? Is this not unconstitutional? Is this what our forefathers wrote?
The vision of our forefathers is being marred by people who do not see the United States as a safe haven for freedom but as a way to gain power over others. Our Forefathers saw a country in which everyone was an equal in which everyone had the freedoms that they deserve and in which the government was in the hands of the people and for the people. I believe that if our forefathers were to see the country that we have today they would be both impressed by what we have accomplished and scared by what we are becoming. This country used to be self-sufficient. Now we rely on imports from other countries and many people take advantage of the freedoms that they have and are not appreciative of the blood that was shed that got us here. I believe that the America today is not our forefathers’ vision and that it is still in our power to bring our country back on track to give and maintain the rights of the citizens of the United States of America.
A line that many of us are familiar with is the oath that we swear when we become a part of the forces that protect freedom. “I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;... so help me God.” This oath gives us the mindset that there are threats to our freedom in our very own domestic life; this is not only by means of force, but also in ways that undermine the Constitution that we swear to support and defend. The Constitution of the United States of America, a masterpiece that our Forefathers created and fought for, is the lifeblood of freedom. We must protect it at all costs.
America rivals all nations. We are bigger, better, faster, stronger, and more powerful than the rest of this planet. Our military capability is unrivaled, and our economy is as successful as can be. We have made a name for ourselves. We rose from nothing. A handful of outcasts in a foreign land with tyrannical monarchs as overwatch. Opportunity leads to growth and the chance at new life brought people into the land of the free. The handful of outcasts grew into a few good men, those men built this country and rescued us from the grip of a demon called England. For this we shall be eternally grateful. They gave us freedom. They gave us opportunity. Opportunity and freedom that are now being lessened by a group of individuals called politicians.
The Founding Fathers wrote three documents that this country is built upon. The first of which is the Declaration of Independence, the second the Constitution, and the third the Bill of Rights. In these documents there are specific rules that are to not be changed written plain as day as to the way the United States is to remain free and how it is to be run and ruled. Over the last two hundred years the constitution has been misinterpreted, the meanings of the amendments marred, and laws passed that defy these sacred texts entirely. The Fathers of this country gave us ten rights in the Bill of Rights, more added as amendments later on, rights that include but are not limited to, the right to free speech, and the right to bear arms. Both of these rights are highly debated topics in today's political field. People misinterpret the First Amendment to the Constitution in which it says, “Congress shall make no law respecting … or abridging the freedom of speech…,” Those in our country say that freedom of speech should only be freedom of speech if it does not harm others feelings, insult them, or make them feel in any way threatened. The Constitution was not written with emotions in mind, it was written with the freedom of a people in mind. Our forefathers sought it to be a specific and unchangeable fact that a citizen of the United States should be free to speak their mind in whatever way they deem fit. There are no statements declaring that freedom of speech is only limited to speech that does not contradict the thoughts of others or challenge their feelings or ideals. With this in mind does the law of hate speech violate this constitutional right of ours? That just because somebody is insulted by the way in which you are speaking can get you in lawful trouble, is this the Constitution our forefathers wrote or is this a misinterpretation and an injustice to our very own Bill of Rights?
“...The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This second Amendment is a safeguard for the people of the United States of America to protect themselves from a new tyrannical government such as the one we escaped from in the Revolutionary War. This amendment is a safeguard against people who seek to cause harm to others. The United States has many laws regarding firearms, all of which infringe upon the right to bear arms. The definition of infringement is “act so as to limit or undermine” and I believe that any law that prohibits a person from owning a firearm or prohibits the sale of certain firearms is an unconstitutional statement. the Constitution gives States the right to Pass laws about subjects that are not spoken of in the Constitution, seeing as the right to bear arms is clearly spoken in the Constitution, how is it that our country has many laws that differ from state to state on this issue? Is this not unconstitutional? Is this what our forefathers wrote?
The vision of our forefathers is being marred by people who do not see the United States as a safe haven for freedom but as a way to gain power over others. Our Forefathers saw a country in which everyone was an equal in which everyone had the freedoms that they deserve and in which the government was in the hands of the people and for the people. I believe that if our forefathers were to see the country that we have today they would be both impressed by what we have accomplished and scared by what we are becoming. This country used to be self-sufficient. Now we rely on imports from other countries and many people take advantage of the freedoms that they have and are not appreciative of the blood that was shed that got us here. I believe that the America today is not our forefathers’ vision and that it is still in our power to bring our country back on track to give and maintain the rights of the citizens of the United States of America.
A line that many of us are familiar with is the oath that we swear when we become a part of the forces that protect freedom. “I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;... so help me God.” This oath gives us the mindset that there are threats to our freedom in our very own domestic life; this is not only by means of force, but also in ways that undermine the Constitution that we swear to support and defend. The Constitution of the United States of America, a masterpiece that our Forefathers created and fought for, is the lifeblood of freedom. We must protect it at all costs.
2nd Place Jagger Klecatsky, 12 grade, East Gull Lake $250.
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3rd place Jovy Goreham, 12th grade, Pequot Lakes, $200.
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The award ceremony for these winners will be at 6:45 pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
September 25, 2024: (l-r) Bill Satre, then morning host on B93.3 Radio, Mile Williams and Mark Persons from the Brainerd VFW. They talked about the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen competitions. The interview was also heard on KUAL Radio.
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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
