CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Two veterans at WINK Listens in Cape Coral now want the younger generation to soak up their knowledge and even potentially get some scholarship money in return. They are members of the VFW Post 8463 in Cape Coral.

Guy Cavalieri shared what he has learned from veterans.

“I have a super appreciation for all they’ve done for us and all our freedoms that we have. Just the ability to be out here and sit in a beautiful park like this and express our views to each other openly and freely. And it’s very grounding,” Cavalieri said.

Amanda Darmenia said independence isn’t free.

“Independence isn’t free, and I feel that, standing up for your country, you know, [veteran] stories are inspiring,” Darmenia said.

Veterans John Roberts and Ben Santana want to tell you about a special scholarship for 9th through 12th grade students. Roberts served in the Vietnam War, and Santana went to the Iraq War in 2003.

Roberts explained the history of the Voice of Democracy scholarship.

“In 1947, the Voice of Democracy was first started. It was started by the National Broadcasters Association. And in 1956, 1957, the Veterans of Foreign Wars got involved with the Broadcasting Association to help them run the program,” Roberts said.

Students have to submit a three to five minute audio essay. The theme this year is “What a Veteran Has Taught Me About America.”

Roberts described the competition process.

“Then from there, we submit our first-place winner to our district, which there are in District 13, which we’re in. There are seven posts, and then they compete against each other, and the district submits their first-place winner to the state,” Roberts said.

If a student wins all the way up to nationals, they could receive up to $35,000. Roberts said the scholarship is meant to show patriotism in the United States.

For these veterans, hearing the students’ essays is meaningful.

“It’s an honor for me to see these young men and women and listen to their speeches or read their essays, because it does show that the youth still admires our country and still wants to see the best in our country,” Roberts said.

The deadline for students interested in applying for the Voice of Democracy scholarship is Oct. 31.

Click here to apply for a VFW youth scholarship.