The Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars premier scholarship program since 1947. 9th through 12th grade students compete for more than $2.1 million in college scholarships and awards by writing and recording a broadcast script on a patriotic theme.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from Colorado wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet and other state first place winners in the national competition.

The all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. includes four fun-filled days of tours, visits to monuments, meeting with heads of state and often the President or Vice President of the United States. The National Judging is held in Washington, D.C. prior to the students' arrival and the winners are announced at a special reception in their honor. In June, each state winner is invited to the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Freedom and Leadership Youth Conference. The three-day conference allows participating students the opportunity to converse with experts on current issues of citizenship, tour the Philadelphia and Valley Forge historic sites and participate in seminars designed to develop leadership skills and understand the value of community service. The foundations of American democracy and the elements of the free enterprise system will also be explored through thought provoking lectures and workshops.

Who can enter? The competition is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial high school or a home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or in an overseas U.S. military/civilian dependent school. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over and previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible.

What do students need to enter? Students submit a 3 to 5 minute recorded and written audio essay on a specific theme online through Scholar's App. Entries are due by midnight October 31st.

Each year more than 125,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $50,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March.

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300 to 400 word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

Who can enter?  The competition is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in public, private or parochial school or home study program in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools can participate too. (Foreign exchange students and former winners that placed in the National finals are excluded from the contest.)

What do students need to do to enter?  Students submit a 300 – 400 word original written essay on a specific theme online through Scholar's App. Entries are due by midnight October 31st.

Cheyenne Mountain VFW Post 3917 is a family friendly VFW Post dedicated to serving the Veterans and community of southern Colorado Springs and the Fountain Valley for over 50 years.

Whether you are stopping by for Sunday morning breakfast or renting our hall your business is always appreciated. If you are interested in joining a Veterans Service Organization, we would like to earn your membership because at the Cheyenne Mountain Post we are veterans helping veterans.

Need to pay your dues?  Considering upgrading your membership to Life?  You can take care of it on-line at https://www.vfw.org/OMS/QuickRenew.aspx?

Consider the Cheyenne Mountain Post for your banquet needs.  We have two banquet rooms plus a small group meeting room.  The banquet rooms may be rented separately or together to accommodate crowds up to 225 people (depending on the room layout).  We also offer on-site catering and a separate cash bar.  It’s a great facility for weddings, receptions, funerals and parties of all kinds.  For more information contact us at (719) 392-8677 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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