Virginia War Memorial’s 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest

Write about a Virginian who Served in the United States Military whose Story Inspires You

The Virginia War Memorial (VWM) in Richmond is calling on students for entries to the Virginia War Memorial’s 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest.

This annual competition is open to all Virginia middle and high school age public, private, and homeschooled students. One winner will be selected from among all middle school entries (grades 6-8) and one from high school entries (grades 9-12).

The essay topic for the 2024 contest is “A Virginian who served in the United States military who inspires you.”

Students may consider a member of their family, of their community, or a famous man or woman from Virginia who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from WWI to the present as their subject. Submissions should be 500–750 words in length, incorporate at least one primary source, and include an APA or MLA style bibliography.

The two students who write the winning essays will each receive a prize package.

The student winners will also be invited to read their essays during the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the Memorial on Monday, November 11, 2024.

The deadline for entries to be submitted electronically is midnight, Sunday, October 20, 2024.