Written by Laila Caramanica

NJROTC Cadet Seaman Apprentice Zachary Whitehead of Middletown, a freshman at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, took first place in the Highlands VFW Post 6902’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.

Cadet Whitehead’s essay focused on how he strives to show his patriotism and support for our country, particularly to honor veterans like his grandfather. 

Cadet Whitehead has taken an active role in remembering our veterans in his volunteer work by cleaning the Little Drummer Boy Cemetery in Middletown. The cemetery dates to the Revolutionary War, but it has since become largely neglected and forgotten. Also known as the Herbert-Cuttrell Burial Ground, the cemetery is located at 40 Old Country Road in Middletown. The site dates to 1771 when James Herbert Sr and his wife Mary Vandeventer obtained 40 acres here, alongside the Waycake (Waackaack) Path, from her father Peter Vandeventer. The headstone of James Herbert, Sr states he was a Revolutionary War veteran who died May 4, 1834 at the age of 87 years.

Seeing this important marker of American history and patriotism, Cadet Whitehead was inspired to clean and fix it up, remembering and honoring the many souls who were laid to rest there.

Cadet Whitehead also wrote about his involvement in the MAST NJROTC program, his interest in applying to one of the United States federal service academies, and his desire to serve as a military officer. An active member of the NJROTC program, Cadet Whitehead competes at drill competitions as a member of freshman color guard.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, which sponsors the Voice of Democracy audio essay contest and Youth Scholarship program, has been supporting veterans since 1899.

The VFW is composed of veterans from active duty, the National Guard, and reserve forces who served honorably in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters.

Their mission is to foster camaraderie among U.S. veterans of overseas conflicts; to serve veterans, the military, and communities; and to advocate on behalf of all veterans. Their efforts include supporting the establishment of departments within the government to care for both current service members and veterans, fighting for legal compensation for veterans exposed to toxins such as Agent Orange, and advocating for veterans suffering from related disorders and illnesses, like Gulf War Syndrome.

The VFW has also been the driving force behind the development of the national cemetery system, and called for government accountability for issues affecting veterans, active service members, and their families. They are also behind many of the fundraising efforts for military memorials to those who served, such as the Women in Military Service Memorial, and particularly those to who made the ultimate sacrifice, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The VFW established the annual Voice of Democracy essay contest in 1947, encouraging 9th to 12th grade students throughout the US to respond to a yearly prompt related in some way to military service, patriotism, and advocacy.

This competition has inspired countless high school students across America over the decades to get involved, often helping under served veteran communities. It also encourages these students to think about what patriotism and service mean to them, and how they show these attributes. After earning first place at the local level, Cadet Whitehead will advance to compete at the District and State levels. If he goes on to place at Nationals, he could be awarded a scholarship of up to $35,000.

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