Rochester Hills middle school student named district winner of essay contest at VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Banquet
The VFW 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Banquet was held by the 5th District of Michigan VFW at the LempkeBlackwell VFW Post 7573 in New Baltimore, Jan. 2.
Oxford North Oakland VFW Post 334 had the honor of having their Patriot’s Pen candidate Rebecca Wang, an eighthgrader from the Van Hoosen Middle School in Rochester Hills, win first place.
The theme for this year’s Patriot’s Pen Essay was “How can I be a Good American”. Wang read her essay and received a standing ovation from the audience. She will now go to the Department of Michigan 43rd Annual Mid-Winter Conference being held in Kalamazoo on Jan. 27-30. She will compete against the other district winners from across Michigan.
The Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay contest and Patriot’s Pen is an essay contest. For more information, call VFW Post 334 Auxiliary President Kathy Hubbard 248-8306324.
For more information about VFW Youth scholarships, visit vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
Upcoming events
• West Bloomfield Parks welcomes all West Bloomfield and area veterans to join them for their free monthly Veteran Meet Up Valentines Breakfast from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the Orchard Mall, at 6445 Orchard
Lake Road, West Bloomfield. The event includes breakfast, chatting and swapping stories, and creating valentines. Veterans are welcome to bring a guest for a fee, residents $7, non-residents $9. Must pre-register now. For more information and to register, call 248-451-1900.
• Miracle Quilts for Our Wounded Troops to meet from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at UAW Local 5960, 180 Silverbell Road, Lake Orion. Bring basic sewing supplies, sewing machine and extension cord. Quilters may work on their own project or check out one of the quilt kits available. Volunteers, non-sewer helpers and gift cards for JoAnn Fabrics, donations for supplies and shipping are needed. Quilts are to be shipped to the 173rd Airborne, Stuttgart, Germany, and individual veterans. Founder Carole Carroll said, “I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the members of UAW Local 5960 for allowing us to use they’re beautiful facility.” Volunteers have their own table and lots of space to spread out their work. A project for making ditty bags, drawstring cloth bags to put items in for homeless veterans for Valentine’s Day, will also be worked on. For more information, call Carole 248321-8669.
• Farmington American Legion Post 346 to host Dinner at the Post Fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at 31775 Grand River Ave. Farmington. For more information, call 248-939-4910.
Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Bingo from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, Band Night at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, and Karaoke at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at 4819 Mary Sue Blvd. Bingo needs volunteers and food donations. For more information, call 248-673-9301.
• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Broasted Chicken Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, Euchre from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, and Fish Dinners from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at 130 E. Drahner Road, Oxford.
The cost of buffet dinner is $8 to $8.50. Fish variety and chicken dinners are $9 to 11.50. For more information, call 248-628-9081.
• Royal Oak American Legion Post 253 to host a Friday Night Dinner at 5 p.m. and Karaoke at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and the Royal Oak American Legion Post 253 Legion Riders to host a Euchre Tournament at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1505 N. Main
St., Royal Oak, $10 entry fee. For more information, call 248-546-0490.Registration begins at 6 p.m. All proceeds and donations go the the Legacy Run Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 248-5460490.
The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@ aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.