Feature Story & Photos By Larry H. Oskin
The Clermont Veterans of Foreign Wars — VFW Post 5277 believes in good citizenship to help foster patriotism. That is why they participate in a national program to encourage young students to examine our nation’s history along with their own experiences in modern American society through the annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy youth essay writing competitions. The special awards presentation was made by VFW Post Commander-In-Chief Ronald Chappo, Quartermaster Robert Farrell, President of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary Aloha Prince-Rosario and by past Commander Kurt Schuh.
Over 100,000 6th to 12th-grade students annually enter to win unrestricted scholarship money for college as well as for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC for the first national first-place winner. Students are encouraged to draft an essay that expresses their personal views based upon a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-In-Chief. The national program had over 100,000 entries this past year using the theme of ‘What Makes America Great.’
Voice of Democracy Awards: Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the VFW’s premier scholarship program for 9th to 12thgrade students. This VFW sponsored essay competition gives students the opportunity to express their views on an annually updated patriotic theme.
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- First-place honors to Emily G. Lininger,
- Second-place to Megan Czarnaki and
- Third-place to Jael Walker.
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Patriot’s Pen Award Winners: Students from 6th to 8th-grade levels were solicited from 18 area middle and high schools to enter this contest.
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- First-place honors to Hagen Azevedo,
- Second place to Kenzie Harris and
- Third place to Andrew Ramsul-Darsingh.
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Four Award Levels: All Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Awards start at the local VFW Post level. These Post winners will advance to the District Level where one first-place winner will advance to the State Level. That one first place District award winner will advance to the national competition. Winners from each state will compete for the big national scholarship awards and prizes. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s chosen American University, college or vocational school.
2020 VFW Patriot’s Pen Competition: Visit the Florida VFW state website at: http://www.myfloridavfw.org and the national website at:www.VFW.org for more information. The next scholarship entries will start in June and will be due no later than October 31, 2020.
Clermont VFW Events & Honors: They recently graciously donated 20 chairs to the New Hope School, so all of the children could eat lunch together. Now in their 74th year, they are already making big plans for their 75th-anniversary celebration on January 25, 2021. At 95 years old, Charles Konsler is still active as one of the original Clermont VFW charter members that served in World War II and became a local business owner after the war. See https://vfw5277.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=3760 for a full list of VFW Post 5277 events and activities.
William Alfred Suggs Memorial VFW Post 5277: Robert J. Farrell notes, “Our youth scholarships challenge local area students to reflect on our nation’s history, their ideals and principles and their own experiences based on a patriotic theme. By working alongside America’s youth and instilling a sense of patriotism here in the South Lake area of Florida has always been and will always be a VFW priority. For more information about membership, events, fundraisers and scholarships, contact Quartermaster Robert Farrell at 352-250-2052, 352-394-5424 or by email at: RFarr47938@aol.com. Visit the local VFW Post at the lower level of 855 West Desoto Street, Clermont, FL 34711. Visit: https://vfw5277.org.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Larry Oskin is a writer and photographer for the South Lake Tablet. He is the owner of Marketing Solutions / Art Beautique, offering creative marketing, media relations and professional fine art photography services. He is a Board Member of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra and the Clermont Historic Society. For more information, contact Oskin at 703-508-6800 or at LOskin@MktgSols.com.
