By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 and Auxiliary annually host the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contest for area students. During the awards banquet, the organization also honors teachers, Eagle Scout of the year and first responders.

State Representative Dade Phelan was guest speaker at the event.

Auxiliary President Cathie Duhon and Post Sr. Vice Commander Kevin Bost presented awards during the evening.

The post presented three plaques, 23 framed citations and $1,475 in cash awards.

Madeline Sanderson won first place for Patriot’s Pen, a youth essay competition giving students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.

Lydia Covey place first for Voice of Democracy, locally, and placed second in District.

Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay program providing high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.

Spencer Johns was named Eagle Scout of the Year.

The Auxiliary also honored two groups for their work in the community, Southeast Texas Veterans Burial Group and Southeast Texas Hospice. Both organizations were presented with $100 and a framed certificate.