Commander William (Butch) Ogden of Post 6464 is inviting area students to take part in the Veterans of Foreign Wars 2026-2027 ‘Patriot’s Pen’ and ‘Voice of Democracy’ contests. The Post is also seeking applicants for its ‘Teacher of the Year’ Program.
The top finishers in each event receive a monetary scholarship.
Detailed instructions and applications can be found on VFW6464.org.
- Click on Programs
- Click on Programs; scroll down to appropriate program (Follow the instructions)
The following school systems are supported by VFW Post 6464:
Fowlerville Schools
Howell Schools
St. Joseph Catholic School, Howell
St. Mary’s Catholic School, Williamston
Webberville Schools
Williamston Schools
Home Schooled students are also eligible to submit for the scholarships.
Any student or school in Ingham and Livingston Counties who are not supported by a VFW Post, may submit Student and Teacher Applications to VFW Post 6464. For more information, contact George M. Wygant, (517) 515-0471, george.wygant@yahoo.com.
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Patriot’s Pen competition.
Open to sixth, seventh and eighth grader students.
2026-2027 Theme is "What A Veteran Taught Me About America”
VFW Post 6464 will be utilizing Scholar’s Apps again this year. Students may submit with following Caveat. Students will submit application manually as follows:
- Turn in signed application and essay manually
- Turn is Thumb Drive with application and essay
- Chairmen will load applications to Scholar’s App.
Detailed instructions and application can be found on VFW6464.org.
- Click on Programs
- Click on Programs; scroll down to the Patriot’s pen (Follow the instructions)
You can click on the Patriot’s Pen Application and fill it out. When completed; print a copy and save to a thumb Drive. Specific guidelines are provided for completing the application and the essay to be successful.
Chairmen will be available on the following Fridays from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and the following Saturdays September 5 & 12, and October 3 & 10 from 8:00 am to noon. The chairmen will be at the VFW Fall Conference October 29th through the 31st. If you are turning in an application on these dates, please send copies to george.wygant@yahoo.com before midnight on October 31st, so your application is not turned in late. The Chairperson will be at the Post between 6:00 pm to 12 midnight.
Parents and student may call for an appointment with George Wygant at (517-515-0471) to go over your package submission. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for in person meetings. Meeting will be located at VFW Post 6464, 215 Veterans Drive, Fowlerville, Michigan 48836
The Post can submit one first place winner for every 15-application graded. Check out our Webpage under Programs, Patriot’s Pen for previous winners.
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Voice of Democracy Audio Essay competition.
Open to High School Students.
2026-2027 Theme is "What A Veteran Taught Me About America”
VFW Post 6464 will be utilizing Scholar’s Apps again this year. Students may submit manually direct to the post.
VFW Post 6464 Chairpersons will load manually submitted applications to Scholar’s App.
Detailed instruction and application can be found on VFW6464.org.
- Click on Programs
- Click on Programs or Scholar’s App (follow the instructions)
- If you select Programs; scroll down to the Voice of Democracy (follow the instructions)
You can click on the Voice of Democracy Application and fill it out. When completed; print a copy and save to a thumb drive. Specific guidelines are provided for completing the application and the essay to be successful. Voice of Democracy applicants must also record their essay in MP3 format. No other format is acceptable.
Chairmen will be available on the following Friday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and the following Saturdays September 5 & 12, and October 3 & 10 from 8:00 am to 12 noon. The chairmen will be at the VFW Fall Conference October 29th through the 31st. If you are turning in an application on these dates, please send copies to george.wygant@yahoo.com before midnight on October 31st, so your application is not turned in late. The Chairperson will attempt to be at the Post between 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.
Parents and student may call for an appointment with George Wygant at (517-515-0471) go over your package submission. Meeting will be located at VFW Post 6464, 215 Veterans Drive, Fowlerville, Michigan 48836
The Post can submit one first place winner for every 15-application graded. Check out our Webpage under Programs, Voice of Democracy for previous winners.
* * *
2026-2027 Teacher of the Year Program.
Detailed instruction and application can be found on VFW6464.org.
- Click on Programs
- Click on Programs; scroll down to Teacher of the Year (Follow the instructions)
You can click on the VFW Smart-Maher Teacher of the Year Brochure (Nomination Form) Application and fill it out. When completed; print a copy and save to a thumb drive. Nomination letter should not exceed 350 words. Save to thumb drive. Specific guidelines are provided for completing the application and the nomination letter.
Winners will be notified no later than November 7, 2026.
The following additional paperwork will need to be submitted to VFW Post 6464 to accompany the original application and 350-word nomination letter, no later than November 14, 2026
- Nation Smart-Maher VFW Citizenship Advancement Form
- One page listing the teacher’s innovations and accomplishments (may use both sides.)
- Do not exceed five 8 ½ x 11 pages of documentation.
- A quality head and shoulder photograph (wallet size picture).
