AUBURN – Post 1603, Veterans of Foreign Wars, has announced the kick-off of the Patriot’s Pen essay competition.

Students in grades six to eight in Auburn have the opportunity to compete in the annual essay competition and win U.S. savings bonds and a trip to the VFW and Auxiliary Community Service Conference.

Students compete at the local level, and post winners advance to District 9, which encompasses Auburn, Lewiston, Greene, Lisbon, Jay, Rumford and South Paris.

District winners compete in the state competition for more than $75,000 in U.S. savings bonds and an all-expenses trip to Washington, D.C.

Each year, more than 130,000 students participate in the Patriot’s Pen essay competition. Students are invited to write a 300- to 400-word essay on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme is “Citizenship in America.” Deadline for entries is Nov. 1.

Interested students should contact their teachers. For more information, call Donald W. Linscott Jr., chairman, at 782-6873, or write to the Auburn VFW 1603, 588 Minot Ave., Auburn, ME 04210 for more information.