KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 7, 2022) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is pleased to announce Syed Ali, an eighth grade student from Lafayette, Louisiana, has been named the national first place winner and recipient of a $5,000 award in its 2021-2022 Patriot's Pen essay contest. Ali, who was sponsored by New Iberia, Louisiana, VFW Post 1982, wrote his winning essay based on this year’s theme, "How Can I Be a Good American?”

As the national first place winner, Ali was presented with his award during tonight’s virtual Parade of Winners award ceremony which was hosted live on Facebook.