Veterans of Foreign Wars Francis J. Mellar Post 8252, Gloucester, recently presented two high school students and one middle schooler with certificates and $300 awards for their participation in the VFW youth patriotic programs.

Jayden Thompson was the winner in the Patriot’s Pen contest while Kylee Thompson and Hannah Hoffmann were co-winners in the Voice of Democracy contest. These two contests are run nationally every fall; competition is keen for the cash and scholarships awarded to participants.

Jayden and Kylee Thompson were handed their certificates by VFW Post Senior Vice Commander Dave Lowery, from left.

Jayden, an eighth grade student at Peasley Middle School, presented the winning Patriot’s Pen written essay themed “What is Patriotism to Me.” In it he explained how patriots created our nation and continue to preserve it. He finished by saying that patriotism is honor and respect to the flag, the ideas of the Constitution, and for our veterans and their families.

...