Messenger Writer Takes Bronze in VFW Writing Contest

Last Updated on Friday, 03 June 2022 19:28

A contributing writer for the South Hills – Mon Valley Messenger has won an award for one of the top feature articles in the 2022 Veterans of Foreign Wars National Publications Contest.

Michael P. Mauer, Bronze Award winner in the 2022 Veterans of Foreign Wars National Publications Contest.

Michael P. Mauer, an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm, won the Bronze Award for his article, ‘West Mifflin VFW Members Earn Top Surgeon Awards at State Convention.’ The submission appeared in the July 2021 edition of the South Hills – Mon Valley Messenger, and placed third in competition after a judges’ review by two non-VFW affiliated journalism professionals.

Mauer wrote the article while assigned as the VFW PA District 29 public affairs officer. This is his third VFW writing award in six years.

Mauer has written scores of articles about the VFW and veterans over the last three decades. These stories have been printed in local, regional and state-wide publications. In 2020, Mauer won the Silver Award for best feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest, and in 2016, the Grand Award. He has been a life member of the VFW since 1995. He has also received citations for his work over the years with the VFW from both the Pennsylvania State Senate and the House of Representatives. Also, he was appointed a VFW National Aide-De-Camp in 2006.

A Bethel Park Pennsylvania native, Mauer’s name is one of hundreds inscribed on the Veteran’s Memorial near the borough’s municipal building. He attended Bethel Park Senior High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from Point Park University in 1984.

Mauer won the Army’s highest journalism honor, the Keith L. Ware, in 1991. He was also awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions as a military reporter in Operation Desert Storm.

In 2010, Mauer was inducted into the Southwestern Pennsylvania Veterans Hall of Fame. He is also a graduate of the United States military’s Defense Information School, and the Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Mauer is employed with the United States Veterans Administration and currently lives on Hempstead Road in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. He has been married to his spouse, Marsey, for 36 years. They have two daughters, Sarah and Rachel.