Veterans of Foreign War Post 1913 in Hopkinsville celebrated Veterans’ Day Wednesday with the reading of the winning Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen essays.
The essay contest takes place every year, and although things have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t stop local students from participating and honoring the many veterans that call the area home. The winners read their essays to a well-spaced out audience, with Patriot Pen winner Ellen Groves saying that patriotism can be showing in numerous ways, including honoring veterans, first responders and celebrating freedoms.
Voice of Democracy winner Braden Howell gave his opinion on the question, “Is this country what our founding fathers envisioned?” calling it the greatest country that have ever been or will be. Quoting George Washington, Howell says the country needs to step away from a two-party system and focus on unity moving forward.
VFW Auxiliary President Barbara Crawley thanked all veterans, present or not, for the numerous sacrifices they have made.
Second place in the Voice of Democracy went to Carly Chaudion and third was taken by Randel Miles—the second and third place winners for Patriot Pen were Andrew Foley and Franco Fiscella. The Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen contests are nationally contested and the winners will go on to compete for the chance to win $30,000.
