ATTENTION - POPPY ORDERS for 2011-2012

National Headquarters foresees the possibility of having the same problem with ordering poppies as last year. So to avoid not getting poppies in time for Memorial Day they recommand to order as early as possible. Order forms have been updated with new prices. Old forms will not be accepted. New order forms will be sent to post quartermasters shortly. Contact Department Headquarters if you have any questions.

THE VFW DEPARTMENT OF NEW JERSEY IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING MANY COMMUNITY PROGRAMS… AMONG THOSE ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS THAT HELP MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MANY STUDENTS EACH YEAR TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION. FOR MORE INFO, READ BELOW ABOUT THE CHANCE TO ENTER AND WIN ONE OF THESE SCHOLARSHIPS.

SCHOLARSHIP ENTRY FORMS AND PROGRAM RULES ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR DOWNLOADS TAB UNDER DEPARTMENT FORMS, AS WELL AS THROUGH ANY LOCAL VFW POST.

TO FIND A LOCAL POST, CLICK THE ABOVE TAB MARKED “POST INFO” AND LOCATE THE NEAREST ONE IN YOUR COUNTY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR NEED MORE INFORMATION, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Each year, more than 51,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.

Knowing that a democratic society needs nurturing, the VFW established the Voice of Democracy program (VOD) in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles.

The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000- $16,000 and the first-place winner from each (State) VFW Department wins an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

PATRIOTS PEN

VFW believes strongly in good citizenship and fostering patriotism. That’s why we encourage youthful minds to examine our nation’s history and their own experiences in modern American society through our Patriot’s Pen youth essay-writing contest.

Annually, roughly 112,000, students from grades 6-8, enter to win one of several savings bonds totaling $1.2 million, as well as an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the National first place winner.

Students draft a 300-400 word essay, expressing their views based on an — always patriotic — annual theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

BOY/GIRL SCOUT OF THE YEAR

Some of the VFW’s earliest ties to the community involve youth groups. Few are stronger — and none more lasting — than the close relationship between the VFW and the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

Each year, the VFW selects three young people — of the Boy or Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts or Venturing Crew — who have demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community. The first-place winner receives a $5,000 award, the second-place winner receives a $3,000 award and the third-place winner receives $1,000.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Each year three exceptional teachers are recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics—at least half of the school day in a classroom environment—and promote America’s history, traditions and institutions effectively.

The VFW’s National Citizenship Education Teacher Awards (Teacher of the Year) include the following items:

• A $1,000 award to the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade teachers for professional development expenses.
• $1,000 award for each winning teacher’s school.
• Plaques for both the winning teacher and school.
• An all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference and receive their award.