Centralia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2055 hosted the annual District 13 Voice of Democracy & Patriot’s Pen Banquet on Saturday January 7, 2023.  The Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Programs are two of the VFW’s most important programs.  These programs are a great way to instill Americanism and Patriotism in our youth. Patriots Pen is an essay contest for eighth grade and below students. Voice of Democracy is an audio essay contest for high school students.

The Patriot’s Pen theme for this year is "My Pledge to our Veterans”.  VFW District 13 had 201 entries and 13 students advanced to the banquet.  Scholarships awarded at the local level for Patriot’s Pen totaled $2,875.  VFW District 13 awarded an additional $850 to the winners at the banquet. Fourth place through thirteenth place each received $25. Third, second, and first place winners received $100, $200, and $300 respectively. District 13 Patriot’s Pen top three winners were 3^rdplace Naomi Yancey VFW Post 8222 Albion, IL; 2^nd place Ashlyn Weaver VFW Post 8222 Albion, IL; 1^st place Rebekah Fleming VFW Post 4226 Olney, IL. Rebekah Fleming’s essay advanced to competition at the state of Illinois level.  Jaxey Donoho took 1^stplace in the local competition at VFW Post 2055, in Centralia, IL.

The Voice of Democracy theme for this year is "Why is the Veteran Important”. VFW District 13 had 82 entries and nine students advanced to the banquet.  There were eight VFW post and seven VFW Auxiliaries participating from VFW District 13. Scholarships awarded at the local level for Voice of Democracy totaled $4,750.  VFW District 13 awarded an additional $1,700 at the banquet to the winners. 6^th through 9^th place winners each received $50.  Fifth, fourth, third, second and first place winners received $100, $200, $300, $400, and $500 respectively.  The top five winners were 5^th place Savannah Young VFW Post 2244 Lawrenceville, IL; 4^th place McKenna Poole VFW Post 4535 Fairfield, IL; 3^rdplace Alexia McKinney VFW Post 8222 Albion, IL; 2^nd place Callista Ridgely VFW Post 4226 Olney, IL; 1^st place Sarah Restoff VFW Post 9153 Waltonville, IL. Sarah Restoff’s entry has been forwarded to VFW Department of Illinois for competition at the state level. Sarah and her parents will attend the VFW Department of Illinois banquet in Springfield on February 11, 2023. Briley Smythe took first place in the local competition at VFW Post 2055 in Centralia, IL.

District 13 Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy awards were presented by Steve Norris, VFW District 13 Scholarship Chair and Tena Anderson VFW Auxiliary District 13 Chair.  VFW District 13 Commander Don Porter and member of Centralia VFW Post 2055 presided over the Patriot’s Pen & Voice of Democracy Award Banquet.