VFW of the United States announced earlier this year that November has been designated as Veterans in the Classroom Month across the country. Throughout the month of November, veterans will visit classrooms to discuss flag etiquette and share their military experiences with students. They hope to instill national pride and patriotism in America’s youth.  

A website, www.vfw.org/pdf/teacherscorne11.pdf, has been developed with educational tools that educators can incorporate into the classroom. Some of the tools include having an essay contest on democracy for seventh and eighth graders. Students in grades nine through 12 will have the opportunity to write and record patriotic essays on audiotapes and compete for more than $2 million in scholarships at the local, state and national level. Also, the organization will recognize one elementary, middle and high school teacher with the National VFW Citizenship Education Teacher Award for promoting citizenship education with their students.  

School representatives should contact their local VFW Post and request to speak with the commander or Ladies Auxiliary VFW President for more information. They also may contact the state’s VFW Headquarters in South Charleston at (304) 768-7514.