Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1009, located in Corsicana awarded certificates of achievement to the winners of the VVA Post 1009 annual essay contest.
The essay contest allows young people in Navarro County to learn about the history of the Vietnam War and earn scholarship money to continue their education.
In 2026, the VVA Chapter 1009, raised a total of $4500 for scholarships to assist Navarro County high school Seniors as they continue their academic pursuits at either college or a technical school.
Qualified applicants could choose between several topics to pen their essays which were required to be a minimum of five hundred words.
Potential essay topics included the role of the Riverboat Navy in the Vietnam War, discuss the role of engineers and Seabees during Vietnam, describe the importance women and their roles during the war, or detail the role United States Allies played in the Vietnam War.
Kaci Armstrong, of Blooming Grove, who will continue her education at Texas A&M, was awarded $1,500 and wrote about the engineers and Seabees who increased the ability of the United States military to reach further across the battlefield by building and maintaining infrastructure including bridges, airfields, and ports.
Colbert Poe, a Frost High School senior, also received $1,000 for his essay also on the impact of the Brown Water Navy during the Vietnam War.
“We congratulate and recognize these young people and their families,” said James Greene President of the Chapter 1009 Navarro Rifles.
“All essays turned in by qualified applicants were judged anonymously, by a committee, said Greene.
Funds raised in the Spring and Fall raffles make these scholarships possible.
The NavCo Chronicle will post updates when these raffles are scheduled.