The Veterans of Foreign War came to Metea valley this past Tuesday to award and recognize students Chris Danner and Kavya Anjur for their essays submitted in the competition and program “Voice of Democracy,” funded by the VFW. Their essays were based off of their responsibility to America, and it gave a new insight and essence to the meaning of a democracy, the importance of these students responsibility towards it, and America.

“I think the main thing that we look for is honesty, fairness, and the way it’s presented. It doesn’t need to be pretty, but it needs to be honest,” VOD Chair of VFW Thys Vandvelde said.

Vandvelde further elaborated on the essays. “It’s really nice to see that they think about the subject, and they articulate on it very well and put very good reasoning into the essay,” Vandvelde added.

Both students were awarded scholarships through submitting an audio version of their essay and a written piece. Danner placed second and received a check for $500, while Anjur was a repeat winner who placed third and received a check for $250. Both Mustangs were also given certificates and silver medals to commemorate their hard and thoughtful work exemplified throughout their essays. Students from different schools also have the chance to go to district and state if they place first in local.

“I felt very thankful and it was an honor to receive a scholarship like that from such a great organization, and I obviously was very excited that Metea was able to place second and third. Our district had a great showing in the competition as well and so many students were involved in this,” Danner said.

“I felt very happy. I worked really hard on the essay to show my patriotism for this country, and I’m really proud to know that all of my hard work paid off,” Anjur said.

The contestants not only talked about their responsibility towards America and democracy, but discussed what America as a country gave back to them and how it has benefited them.

“Both culturally and spiritually, living in America has been very inspirational to me. Every day, I have the freedom and opportunity to pursue my dreams, and I am very thankful for this. That’s why I wrote this patriotic essay in order to promote nationalism that I have been taught my whole life and help my country after all it has done for me,” Anjur said.

“We all know it’s a pretty divided time for our country, so with everything like the election and politics, it causes people to forget why we are all here and together as a nation, so what I really focused on [is] that it’s not just my responsibility but for all of ours to work together, not against each other, and to encourage each other despite our differences in order to make our country better,” Danner said.

Among the various initiatives, jobs, and volunteering the VFW create and do, they accommodate for the homeless veterans and homeless shelters, as well with clothing and meals and help veterans through Veterans Administrations in hopes of having benefits for them. Another large and important part of its purpose is helping the community, and this program helps out.

“We are letting young people find out what’s important in our country. It’s not necessarily veteran things, but it may be what you feel, what you believe in, and what’s important to you in regards to America. We are trying to give the youth a voice,” Vandvelde said.