American Legion announces Veteran Entrepreneur Contest

American Legion announces Veteran Entrepreneur Contest

To honor the fallen and support the living, The American Legion Family is announcing a Veteranpreneur Contest as part of its 2018 National Poppy Day activities. Veterans, servicemembers and their spouses who own a business are invited to submit poppy-themed merchandise for consideration in the contest. The winning veteranpreneur will receive up to a $10,000 order for their product which will be sold in the online poppy shop through American Legion Emblem Sales.

The American Legion Family has launched www.poppydayusa.org which features information about National Poppy Day and the Veteranpreneur Contest. Entries to the Veteranpreneur Contest are due by close of business on April 25, when a judging panel will narrow the field to four finalists. After the finalists have been selected, the general public will vote for their favorite poppy-themed product and the winner will be announced on May 25 – National Poppy Day.

“Distributing poppies around Memorial Day has been a tradition of the American Legion Family for close to 100 years,” said American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan. “We have also long supported the efforts of veterans, servicemembers and their spouses who start their own business. The Veteranpreneur Contest is a natural extension of these efforts and will help us remind Americans about the historical significance and symbolism of the red poppy.”

Following World War I, the red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed by those who fought and those who continue to fight for our country. National Poppy Day is an initiative supported by the entire American Legion Family.

The contest is open February 28 – April 25, 2018. More information about eligibility, entry criteria and terms can be found at www.poppydayusa.org.