V.F.W.
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
The Veterans of Foreign Wars organized September 14-17, 1914, at the former Schenley Hotel near here. Veterans who had served in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and China were among its founders.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In September 1914, veterans gathered at the Schenley Hotel in Pittsburgh's Oakland district to help forge the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Among the founders were men who had served overseas in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and China during the Spanish-American War and its aftermath—soldiers who wanted an organization to advocate for those who had fought on foreign soil. From these roots grew one of America's largest veterans' service organizations.
Why it matters
It marks the birthplace of a national institution that gave a political and social voice to America's overseas veterans as the country stepped onto the world stage.
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Related events
- · Founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Themes & tags
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