Voice of Democracy

Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and it's Ladies Auxiliary conduct an audio essay Program called the Voice of Democracy. This program is designed to give high school students the opportunity to explore Democratic ideals and principles through essays. The theme for 2020-21 is "Is this the country the Founders envisioned?".

This program begins with the local VFW Post and progresses through to District and then to Department (State), and finally to National. The national winner receives a $30,000 scholarship, and runner's up lesser amounts.

In 2017, our local post winner also won first place at the District and State levels and received a $1,000 scholarship at the national competition.

Student entries must be submitted to the Post by November 1 for judging. Post entries must be submitted to District by November 15. When available, entry forms will be provided to Ms. Meryl Tolsma at the Salida High School and Ms. Tiffany Coleman at the Cotopaxi High School.

Here at Post 3820, the program winners are presented cash awards and certificates at an awards ceremony at the high school. This program, along with Patriots Pen, has been ongoing for several years and hopefully will continue for many more to come.