VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

The Voice of Democracy is the VFW's youth audio essay contest held each year for students in grades 9-12. 
 
A topic is identified each year and participating youth must write and then record their audio essay on the given topic. The audio essay, a written copy of the essay, and the properly completed entry form are then submitted to our Post (or another participating VFW Post) by October 31. 
 
Cottage Grove VFW Post 8752 awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes and may, at our discretion, award honorable mentions. While the prizes may vary each year, in recent years, we've awarded cash prizes as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals and certificates.

1st place - $500
2nd place - $400
3rd place - $300
 
Our top winners--one per 15 participants--are advanced to the VFW District 4 competition. The District winner advances to the VFW Department (State) level competition and the state winner to the national competition. The 1st place winner at the VFW National level is awarded a $35,000 scholarship. 
 
For information, please go to vfw.org/vod. 
 
Watch a presentation of the 2022-23 department and national winners' announcement.