Les Wenndt, left, state of Kansas Patriot's Pen chairman, presented a savings bond recently  to Griffin Mareske, an Edwardsville, Kan., eighth-grader, for his winning entry in the VFW essay contest. (Photo courtesy of VFW)

   Griffin Mareske, eighth-grader at Clark Middle School, placed first in the Patriot's Pen Contest for VFW Post 6401.

   He wrote a 250-word essay on the theme, "Are You Proud of Your Country?"

   His entry placed first in the 2nd District of state of Kansas VFW. 

   His entry also placed third in the state of Kansas VFW.

   His parents, David and Teryn Mareske of Edwardsville, accompanied him to the state of Kansas Mid-Winter Banquet held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, Kan., on Saturday, Jan. 14, where he was presented a $100 savings bond. 

   Story and photo from Jim Jenkins, past commander, VFW Post 6401.