Students, first responders honored by VFW Post 7183

Andrew Higgerson plays "Taps" as the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7183 annual fall banquet comes to an end. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

LILBOURN, Mo. - Participating in the Veteran of Foreign Wars’ Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests paves the way for recognition of local students. Yet more important than the money and the accolades, the program is an opportunity for participants to learn about their country and the sacrifices made by veterans.

Quincy Merrik, a veteran of the U.S. Army and an active member of the VFW from the local to the national level, spoke to students and their families who were guests of VFW Post 7183 at the Post’s annual fall banquet. According to Merrik the two contests provide over $3.2 million in awards nationwide with the Patriot’s Pen national winner earning a $5,000 prize while the high school student who wins the national Voice of Democracy program receives a $35,000 scholarship.

Merrik, who is in charge of Missouri’s Patriot’s Pen essay contest for middle school students, and the state’s Voice of Democracy contest, which is an audio-essay program open to high school students, noted those honored during the local Post’s event may go on to earn state and possibly national honors.

The Citizenship Education Award is presented to teachers for their commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism. Pictured from left are: Quincy Merrik, Missouri VFW department surgeon; honorees, Dustin Crane, Jon Smith, Candace Riggs, Barry Branscum and Carol Smith; retired Air Force Col. James Russell, post commander; and JoAnna Ray, District 15 Auxiliary president. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

“You never know. We hope,” Merrik said. “We don’t know where in life this is going to bring you. You might become a veteran. You might become a broadcaster. But we hope that you continue to carry the patriotism you have shown in your essays both verbal and written throughout your life. It means a lot to us veterans for you to do that.”

As a bit of trivia for the audience, Merrik noted that the first national winner of the VFW Voice of Democracy Award was Charles Kuralt, who would go on to become a leading American television, newspaper and radio journalist and author.

Emcee for the program, which honored not only students from New Madrid and Dunklin counties but also first responders from across New Madrid County, was retired U.S. Air Force Col. James Russell, post commander. According to Russell, this year’s program was extremely competitive.

The Patriot's Pen winners were among the honorees at the VFW Fall Banquet. Pictured front row from left are: Pictured from left are: Quincy Merrik, Missouri VFW department surgeon; winners Adam Hartlein, Brayleigh Dennison and Gavin Halloway; and JoAnna Ray, District 15 Auxiliary president; and back row: retired Air Force Col. James Russell, post commander. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

“Each of the winners of this year’s Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year and First Responders competitions should be proud of their win for they all had steep competition and our selection board was hard pressed to pick the winners,” Russell said. He added the Post was awarding over $6,000 in prizes during the evening’s banquet.

Teacher of the Year

The Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recognizes teachers for their outstanding commitment teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. The local Post selected two teachers from Dunklin County and three New Madrid County presenting each with a certificate, a “Golden Apple” plaque and $500.

Local winners of the Voice of Democracy were recognized by VFW Post 7183 during the recent awards banquet. Pictured front row from left are: Pictured front row from left are: Quincy Merrik, Missouri VFW department surgeon; Lindsey Lancaster, Taryn Irby, Maria Cobb; and JoAnna Ray, District 15 Auxiliary president; and back row: Matthew Williams and retired Air Force Col. James Russell, post commander. Other winners were: William Warren and Alaska G. Olinger. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Winners from New Madrid County were: Candace Riggs, New Madrid Elementary School, for the grades K-5 Division; Barry Branscum, Portageville Middle School, for grades 6-8 Division; and Jon Smith, Risco High School, for grades 9-12 Division.

From Dunklin County the winners were: Carol Smith, Malden Elementary School, K-5 Division, and Dustin Crane, Clarkton High School, grades 9-12 Division.

Patriot’s Pen

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7183 honored those on the front lines during their annual Fall Banquet on Nov. 16. Pictured from left are: Quincy Merrik, Missouri VFW department surgeon; John Nelson with the New Madrid Sheriff's Deparment; Larry Durham with the New Madrid County Ambulance District and Johan Adams, EMT with the New Madrid County Ambulance District; JoAnna Ray, District 15 Auxiliary president; and retired Air Force Col. James Russell, post commander. Also recognized during the evening were Page Wachter with the New Madrid County Ambulance District; firefighters Ricky Davis, Akera Nelson and Eric Ray; and Risco Police Chief Nicholas Drafter. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

This year’s theme for the Patriot’s Pen essay contest was “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” Winners received $400 for first place, $200 for second place, $100 for third place and $75 for honorable mention along with a certificate of recognition and a backpack.

Earning honors from New Madrid County were: first place, Brayleigh Dennison, Portageville Middle School; second place, Adam Hartlein, NMCC Middle School; and third place, Lela McSpadden, Immaculate Conception School. Those honored from Dunklin County included from St. Teresa School: first place, Karley Kerperien; second place, Katen Swins; and third place, Rita Wheeler and earning honorable mention from Campbell Elementary School was Gavin Holloway.

Voice of Democracy

“Why is the Veteran Important” was the theme of this year’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest. Winners each received a certificate of recognition and a backpack with the first place winner earning $500, second place receiving $250 and third place earning $125.

Honored from New Madrid County were: first place, Taryn Irby, Portageville High School; second place, Matthew Williams, Risco High School; and third place, William Warren, Portageville High School.

The Dunklin County winners were: first place, Lindsey Lancaster, home schooling; second place, Alaska G. Olinger, Campbell High School; and third place, Maria Cobb, Clarkton High School.

First Responders Awards

In recognizing those on the front lines, Post 7183 honored three medical responders, three fire fighters and two law enforcement officers. Each received a certificate of appreciation and $125.

Medical personnel honored were all members of the New Madrid County Ambulance District. The awards were made to Page Wachter, Larry Durham and Jonah Adams.

Firefighters recognized were: Ricky Davis with the Risco Fire Fighting Unit and Parma Fire Department members, Akera Nelson and Eric Ray.

John Nelson with the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, and Nicholas Drafter, chief of the Risco Police Department, were named this year’s Law Enforcement honorees.

The evening concluded with New Madrid County Central High School student Andrew Higgerson performing “Taps.”