The American Legion is a social veterans' organization for former and current members of the United States Armed Forces. The organization was chartered by the United States Congress on September 16, 1919, following World War I. The American Legion has been active in influencing political and social change, such as the founding of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, which was the forerunner of the Veterans Administration and later the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); efforts to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting the physical desecration of the American flag; the creation of the American Legion Baseball program; the passing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights; contributing to the launch of the National Association for Mental Health; sponsorship of an independent study on the effects of the exposure of Agent Orange, a herbicidal weapon, on veterans of the Vietnam War; as well as many other activities and achievements.]]> The Sanford Herald, January 24, 1996: Private Collection of Luticia "Tish" Lee.]]> The Sanford Herald]]> The Sanford Herald, January 24, 1996.]]> Celery Soup: Florida’s Folk Life Play Collection, Sanford Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> The Sanford Herald.]]> The Sanford Herald and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]> The Seminole Herald]]> The Seminole Herald.]]> The Seminole Herald: Archives, New Tribes Mission, Sanford, Florida.]]> The Seminole Herald.]]> New Tribes Mission, Sanford, Florida.]]> Hotel Forrest Lake Collection, Sanford Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Politics, Tourism, Education, Non-Profits...Oh My!" RICHES of Central Florida.]]> The Seminole Herald and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>