Co-Sponsored by The Navy League of the United States Hartford Council and The State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs

 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS!

Ryan Woolery, an 8^th grader from Old Saybrook, Conn., is the First Place winner in a statewide essay contest which asked students "Why Do We Honor Veterans?" Ryan, an 8^th grader at St. John School in Old Saybrook, won the 2009 Connecticut Veterans Day Parade's student essay contest, which is presented by The Navy League of the United States Hartford Council and the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. As the First Place winner, he will ride in a vehicle in the Connecticut Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 8 in Hartford. In recognition of his achievement, he also will receive an American flag that has flown over the State Capitol Building. 

Two Runners-Up were selected for this contest. They are Vernon, Conn. residents Morgan Marsh and Jacob Ott, who both are 8th graders at Vernon Center Middle School.

The Navy League of the United States Hartford Council and the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored this special project to encourage middle school students to learn more about the heroism and importance of American servicemen and women throughout our nation's history. The contest was open to all Connecticut 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders. A panel of judges selected the winner and the runners-up.

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The Navy League of the United States Hartford Council and the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs are sponsoring this special essay project to encourage 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders to learn more about the heroism and importance of American servicemen and women throughout our nation's history.

TO BE ELIGIBLE for the 2009 Connecticut Veterans Day Parade Essay Contest, candidates must:

•         Be a 6^th, 7^th or 8^th grade student for the 2009-2010 school year Public,  Private Or Home-Schooled
•         Be a legal resident of the State of Connecticut
•         Limit entries to one entry per person
•         Write an original essay entitled:  "Why Do We Honor Veterans?"
•         Limit the essay to 500 words or less
•         E-mail or mail a completed entry form with an original essay no later than Friday, October 2, 2009 to either:

             E-Mail to:                          OR                        Mail to:

             d.rowles@cox.net                                            Navy League

                                                                                       West Granby, CT  06090

Entries will be judged by a panel of individuals.  JUDGING CRITERIA to be considered for all entries:

•         Power of the Message of the Essay
•         Clarity of Thought
•         Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
•         Overall Comprehension of the Topic

The panel of judges will select one (1) top essay winner and two (2) runners-up.

The Contest Winner will:

•         Ride with one guest in a special vehicle in the Connecticut Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 8, 2009 in Hartford
•         Be honored at a special ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the Connecticut State Capitol on Wednesday, November 4  and read his/her winning entry to the audience
•         Receive a U.S. flag that has flown over the Connecticut State Capitol Building
•         Receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Navy League of the U.S. Hartford Council

The Two Contest Runners-Up will each:

•         Be honored at a special ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the Connecticut State Capitol on Wednesday, November 4 and read their winning entries to the audience

Visit the Downloads Page for the Entry Form

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTEST?  Call (860) 653-4484