AUBURN -- The American Veterans Institute and the Dean V. Kruse Foundation are sponsoring a national essay contest for students in grades 7-12 in conjunction with July’s Operation Welcome Home celebration in Auburn, Indiana. The Kruse Foundation, which operates the World War II Victory Museum and is building the National Military History Center, is hosting AVI’s third national Operation Welcome Home, July 2-6, 2008.
“We are asking young people to express their views on topics related to America’s veterans and the service and sacrifice of our military,” said AVI President Mike Jackson, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) “Since young people are tomorrow’s leaders, we want to open a dialogue with them on leadership, courage, and service to country. There are many perspectives out there and we want to encourage some thoughtful, creative input.”
Essay topics include: 1). The Meaning of Service & Sacrifice; 2). My Hero (write about a veteran you admire and why); 3). A Strong American Defense; 4). The Challenges Facing Veterans; 5). The Ultimate Sacrifice.
The contest is open to Junior entrants (grades 7-9) and Senior entrants (grades 10-12). Essays guidelines can be downloaded from the Operation Welcome Home web site (www.NationalOWH.org) or the American Veterans Institute web site (www.AmericanVeteransInstitute.org). Entry is based on the student’s grade level during the 2007-2008 school year. Current prizes in each category include $1,000 first prize, $500 second prize, and $250 third prize. Winning entries will be featured on AVI, Operation Welcome Home, and National Military History Center web sites and in Operation Welcome Home commemorative materials.
Operation Welcome Home was created to recognize the service and sacrifice of America’s GIs, especially those who were not properly thanked and welcomed home following their tours of duty.
“Whatever our young people decide to do with their lives, we want them to understand that the freedom to pursue their dreams was secured by an American veteran. The goal of the American Veterans Institute and the National Military History Center is to preserve the stories of our country’s veterans, and to help young people learn from those stories and embrace American history. This essay contest is a great way to start the dialogue, and we are grateful to the Kruse Foundation Board for initiating it,” Col. Jackson said.
Because of the number of inquiries from schools and students, we are extending the Essay deadline to May 30. ALL entries MUST be postmarked to no later than May 30, 2008 to be eligible for the contest.
