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2008-2009 Theme: "Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth by ... "

Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 05:24 AM

by voiceofdemocracy

Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who competes with all the first-place VFW Department winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient's American university, college or vocational/technical school.

Besides competing for the top scholarship prize, as well as other national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $16,000, each Department\'s first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Target.

The VOD program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.

How to Enter:
Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. Mail entry form and audio essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.

For more information or questions, contact VFW National Headquarters or VFW State Headquarters if you can't find a local VFW Post.

*Historically, the theme (annually chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief) is purposely kept broad in scope to allow the participant flexibility in interpretation to encourage originality. Since the VFW is a patriotic organization, the annual theme always will be related to patriotism.

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