POTSDAM – Post 1994 VFW and Ladies’ Auxiliary are sponsoring the VFW’s annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests again this year. Entry deadline is Nov. 1.

The Voice of Democracy contest is for audio submissions from 9th through 12th graders.

The theme this year is “Does my generation have a role in America’s future?” A vocal recording of three to five minutes of the contestant’s view of the theme

The local VFW department first-place winner will compete with all the other winners around the country for a $30,000 scholarship and other scholarships from $1,000 to $16,000. Each VFW department winner gets a paid trip to Washington, D.C. March 5 to 9.

The Patriot’s Pen written essay contest, for 6th through 8th graders, has a theme this year of “Does patriotism still matter?” Contestants will submit a 300 to 500 word essay on the theme. The top national winners get a trip to Washington and Savings Bonds worth $1,000 to $10,000.

Students can get info on the contests from Bonnie Severance at 262-2997, or at VFW.org on the Web.

The local post at 95 Market St. will send in all local entries for judging. The winners from each post will go on to the next stage of judging.