<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> vfw.org </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Formerly called </Th> <Td> Army of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico </Td> </Tr> <P> The Veterans of Foreign Wars (officially known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) is a U.S. war veterans organization established on September 29, 1899, whose membership consists of veterans who, as United States Army soldiers, United States Navy sailors, United States Marines, United States Coast Guard sailors, and / or United States Air Force airmen, served the U.S. in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign soil or hostile waters . </P> <P> The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States resulted from the amalgamation of several societies formed immediately following the Spanish - American War in 1899, little groups of veterans returning from campaigning in Cuba and the Philippine Islands, founded local societies upon that spirit of comradeship, known only to those who have faced the dangers of war side by side . Similar experiences and a common language drew them together . The American Veterans of Foreign Service (predecessor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) was established in Columbus, Ohio, September 29, 1899, by Spanish ‐ American War veteran James C. Putnam . The Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines, was organized in Denver, Colorado, December 12, 1899 . Shortly thereafter, a society known as Foreign Service Veterans was born in Pennsylvania . These organizations grew up side by side, increasing in scope and membership until 1913, when at a convention held at Denver, they merged their interests and identities in a national organization now known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States . </P>

What type of interest group is veterans of foreign wars