VFW Post 10349 recently awarded certificates to this year’s Patriot Pen winners Katherine Elizabeth Padgett and runner up Isaac A. Smith.

Both students are sixth graders at Polk County Middle School. The theme for this year’s writing contest was

“Are you proud of your country?”

The Patriot’s Pen writing contest is open to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students enrolled in public, private or parochial schools in the United States and its territories.

Homeschooled students are also eligible. Presenting the certificates were Johnny Taylor (left), Post Quartermaster and Americanism Chairman, and Geraldine Taylor (right), Ladies Auxiliary Americanism and Youth Chairman for VFW Post 10349 Mill Spring. Officials said they appreciate the 21 students who participated in the essay contest this year and teacher Brian Taylor.

– article submitted by Johnny Taylor