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Virginia War Memorial Announces 2016 Veterans Day Essay Contest

The Virginia War Memorial is seeking entries for its first Veterans Day Essay Contest.

The contest is open to all middle and high school public, private or homeschooled students living in Virginia. A winning entry will be chosen from each age group. Each winner will be invited to the Memorial in Richmond to read his or her essay at the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2016.

Each winner will also receive a $200 cash prize presented by Haley BuickGMC of Midlothian, Va.

According to Virginia War Memorial Education Director James Triesler, the 2016 Veterans Day Essay Contest commemorates the 60th anniversary of the opening and dedication of the Memorial. Students are requested to write a short personal essay of 400-500 words based on a quote from a speech given by famed World War II General Matthew B. Ridgeway at the dedication ceremony on February 29, 1956.

In his speech, General Ridgeway said, “Today we harvest the fruits these honored men planted, enjoy them in abundance beyond our powers to imagine. But in life there is responsibility co-equal with every privilege, and a great as our privilege is today, our responsibility is no less. We have a responsibility to keep the Torch of Liberty before every American eye, the love of freedom alive in every American heart.”

“Our mission at the Virginia War Memorial is to Honor Veterans, Preserve History, Educate Youth and Inspire Patriotism in All,” said James Triesler. “This is why we are inviting students

from throughout Virginia to reflect on the words of General Ridgeway and write what these inspirational words mean to them today.”

Complete rules and instructions for the Virginia War Memorial’s 2016 Veterans Day Essay Contest are available online at www.varwarmemorial.org or by email at morgan.guyer@dvs.virginia.gov.

Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. E.D.T., October 21, 2016.

About the Virginia War Memorial
The mission of the Virginia War Memorial is to Honor Veterans, Preserve History, Educate Youth and Inspire Patriotism in All. Dedicated in 1956, the Memorial includes the names of the nearly 12,000 Virginia heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the Global War on Terrorism. The Virginia War Memorial is a division of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and serves as an integral part of its mission in support of all Virginians who served in our military forces.

Situated on over four acres overlooking downtown Richmond and the James River at 621 South Belvidere St., the Virginia War Memorial also includes the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center ,which houses military-related exhibits, programs and theaters showing the award-winning Virginians At War documentary series and the multi-dimensional film, Into Battle. For more information, please visit www.vawarmemorial.org or call 804.786.2074.

About the Virginia War Memorial Foundation
Founded in 2000, The Virginia War Memorial Foundation (VWMF) is the non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation dedicated to the financial support of all of the educational outreach, patriotic programs, historical exhibits and documentary films of the Virginia War Memorial. Donations to the Foundation from individuals, corporations, military and veterans groups and other organizations may be tax-deductible and are encouraged and appreciated. For more information or to donate online, please visit www.vawarmemorial.org or Facebook/virginiawarmemorialfoundation.