Scene

Issue Date: 
October 6, 2014

VFW

In September 1914, a group of 250 veterans from across the nation gathered on what is now the Pittsburgh campus to form the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, more commonly known as the VFW. While here, the group adopted its name, seal, and constitution, and founded its Ladies Auxiliary. To commemorate the centennial of this event, Pitt hosted a ceremony and luncheon on Sept. 16. Above, Pitt students Dennis Zaitsev, a member of the Army ROTC, and Helene Caniac, a member of the Air Force ROTC, placed a ceremonial wreath at the site, near the existing historic marker that notes the official founding of the VFW in 1914 at the renowned Schenley Hotel, now the University of Pittsburgh’s student union.