Essay Contest Open To Connecticut Students

An essay contest open to Connecticut middle school students is asking what the heroism and commitment of American veterans means to them.

The top winner of the contest will ride in the 13th Annual Connecticut Veterans Parade on Sunday, November 4, in Hartford.

All Connecticut sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are eligible to enter the statewide essay contest that salutes the contributions of US veterans. The Navy League of the United States-Hartford Council and the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs are sponsoring the project to encourage middle school students to learn more about the heroism and importance of American servicemen and women throughout the nation’s history.

Entrants will write a one-page essay entitled “What It Means to be a Veteran.” A panel of judges will select one top essay winner and two runners-up. One of the top winner’s prizes will be to ride in the parade in a special vehicle. The contest entry deadline is Friday, September 28.

The contest is one of the components of the 13th Annual Connecticut Veterans Parade to be held in Downtown Hartford on Sunday, November 4, starting at 12:30 pm. The annual procession is New England’s largest veterans parade and one of the largest salutes to veterans in the United States, according to a release for the contest.

For additional information about the essay and how to apply visit www.ctveteransparade.org/participate/essay.