Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7183 recognizes area students, teachers for patriotic efforts

Honorees and those presenting the awards are pictured at the conclusion of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7183 Fall Awards Banquet. Front row from left are: Josephine Middleton, Macklin Steward, Lily Moylan, Phoebe Rone and Jessica Lott; second row: Ty St. Mary, James M. Olinger, J. Colby Thomas, Izabella Zungia and Terri Stone; back row: Rick Depontee, Mary Seyer, Dr. Ricky Mann and Andy Tilmon. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

LILBOURN, Mo. — At the opening of the New Madrid County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7183’s Fall Awards Banquet on Nov. 12, Retired Air Force Col. James Russell read a statement by the late President Ronald Reagan.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same,” Russell quoted.

This year’s Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education programs were very competitive, Russell said. It made it apparent to the selection board that the next generation is gaining an understanding of democracy in the United States.

In appreciation of his visit to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7183's fall awards banquet Commander Rick Depontee (center), commander of the VFW Department of Missouri, is presented with a gift from retired U.S. Air Force Col. James Russell (right) and Dr. Ricky Mann, commander of the VFW Post 7183. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

The evening’s guest speaker was Rick Depontee, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Missouri and a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1994 to 2016. He pointed the local winners are not alone in expressing their patriotism.

“Some 25,000 other students are competing in the Voice of Democracy this year. There are 68,000 other students taking part in the Patriot’s Pen. That is huge,” Depontee said.

While competitive, he also noted the reward of taking part in the annual event is also big. This year’s Voice of Democracy national winner will receive a $35,000 scholarship, according to Depontee.

Rick Depontee, commander of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Department of Missouri, addresses those attended the New Madrid County Memorial VFW Post 7183 Fall Awards Banquet on Nov. 12 at Lilbourn. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Locally, the Post awarded over $4,600 in prizes during the evening’s event.

A nationwide essay contest open to middle school students, the Patriot’s Pen encourages students to express their views based on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme was “My Voice in America’s Democracy.”

The post awarded first, second and third prizes to students competing from New Madrid County and Dunklin County. All winners received a certificate of recognition and Patriot’s Pen backpack with the first place winner in each county also receiving $400, second place earning $200 and $100 going to the third place winners.

Among the students and teachers honored on Nov. 12 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7183 Fall Awards Banquet was Marby Blankenship of Risco High School who placed third in the New Madrid County Division of the Patriots Pen Awards competition. Pictured from left are: Missouri VFW Department Commander RIck Depontee; Mary Sewyer, Post 7183 Auxiliary president; Blankenship and VFW Post 7183 Commander Dr. Ricky Mann. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Taking top honors in New Madrid County was Izabella Zungia from the Risco School District. J. Colby Thomas, a student at New Madrid County Central Middle School, received second place with third place going to Marby Blankenship, a student in the Risco School District.

From Dunklin County, Macklin Steward won first place, Drew Weidenbenner, second place; and Josephine Middleton, third place. All three are students at St. Teresa School in Campbell.

The Voice of Democracy is a nationwide audio-essay program. Russell said this year’s program asked high school students to express themselves on the topic of “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision.”

Prizes were awarded to students from both Dunklin and New Madrid counties.

All three winners in New Madrid County attend Portageville High School. They were: Phoebe Rone, first place; Ty St. Mary, second place; and Lila Moylan, third place.

From Dunklin County, the three winners all attend Campbell High School. Winning first place was James M. Olinger; second place, Rita-Joy Wheeler; and third place, Joshua Austill.

Each of the winners received a certificate of recognition and a Voice of Democracy backpack with the first place winners earning $500, second place, $250; and third place, $125.

The VFW Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teachers Award recognizes exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment in teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students, Russell said. The three winners each received a certificate of recognition, a “Golden Apple” award plaque and $500.

This year’s recipients were Jessica Lott a teacher at Matthews Elementary School in Matthews for kindergarten through fifth grade; Terri Stone, a teacher at Portageville Middle School, for grades sixth through eighth; and Andy Tilmon, a teacher at New Madrid County Central High School, for grades nine -12.