VFW Post 5702 Continues Support For Education Programs
VFW Post 5702 Commander Robert Talan recently announced the post’s continued support of three educational programs designed benefit students and teachers in Oakland and Franklin Lakes. According to Commander Talan, “We are proud to continue to fund and support the Voice of Democracy essay contest in both Indian Hills and Ramapo High Schools. We are also continuing to make the Patriot’s Pen essay program available to middle school students in Oakland and Franklin Lakes.”
The Voice of Democracy, a program endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The annual contest, which is designed to foster patriotism, allows students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
Patriot’s Pen is a nationwide essay competition open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students that gives students the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme, and annually more than 115,000 students participate in the contest. Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to VFW Post 5702 by November 1, 2009.
The Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs offer cash awards to students, and the winners of the Post 5702 competition have the opportunity to compete in VFW District, NJ State VFW, and National VFW competitions. Additional information about these programs can be found on Post 5702’s award-winning website found at: www.vfwpost5702.org.
The VFW’s National Citizenship Education Teachers’ Award recognizes the nation’s top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history and traditions. Guidelines and entry information can be found on the Post 5702 website. Teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals should submit nominations to Post 5702 by November 1, 2009. A cash award is given to the winner of the Post 5702 competition and that winner is eligible to participate in District, State, and National VFW competitions.
For additional information concerning these programs, check the Post 5702 website at www.vfwpost5702.org, or contact Doug Neralich at post5702adj@gmail.com.
