Staff Writer
Patriotâs Pen essay winner Colin Sanders of Salem, an eighth grader at Salem Wesleyan Academy, accepts his award from Salem VFW Post 892 commander Doug Brannon, left, and scholarship chairwoman Clara Kirchner. At the right is Voice of Democracy audio essay winner John Pelton of Minerva, a senior at Salem Wesleyan Academy.
SALEM Essays from Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen scholarship programs renewed a local woman’s hope in young people they really do appreciate veterans, she said.
Clara Kirchner serves as the chairwoman for both programs through the Salem Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 892 and said she was surprised when she read and heard the entries from area students.