Leanne Lemley joined the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post #1805 in 1964 on the eligibility of her father, Leland Goosey, who served as Department Commander VFW Iowa in 1953-1954 having served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  Leanne was also a Junior Girls Unit member in the 50’s.

In 1978-1979 Leanne served as Ladies Auxiliary President VFW #2449 having transferred there while she was employed in Burlington, Iowa.  She served in various offices and chairmanships there over the years.  When the #2449 Post disbanded, she transferred her membership back to #1805 where she became Auxiliary Treasurer in 1985 and remained in that position for 20 years.

Leanne became active in the First District in 1980 and served as First District President in 1986 to 1988 and again in 2000-2001.  She continued to be active with the First District holding various offices and Chairmanships over the years.

Leanne’s first Department appointment was as National President Visit Co-Chairman for Department President Dora Vorhies in 1984.  She served as Color Bearer in 1987 and began through the Department Chairs as Guard in 1988 serving as Department President in 1993-1994.  Her motto was “Working for Freedom” and her pin was the butterfly.

Leanne was appointed to numerous chairmanships over the years and earned National Awards for many of these.

On the National level Leanne was appointed to work on the National Credentials Committee in 1994.  She was elected to serve as National Council Member for Iowa and Wisconsin 1997 to 1999.  National Presidents appointed Leanne to serve as Big Ten Chairman for VFW PAC twice, Safety, Buddy Poppy, Rehabilitation, Americanism, and Junior Girls winning five National Awards for promotion of these Chairmanships. 

At the National Convention at Kansas City, Missouri in August 2007, Leanne was elected to the office of National Guard Ladies Auxiliary VFW.  She will continue through the National Chair offices and will serve as National President in 2012.

Leanne’s mother Anna Mary Dillavou is an auxiliary member.  Her bother is a member with Viet Nam eligibility as well as a son and a stepson with Iraq.  Of course, she has two daughter-in-laws and 2 granddaughters are Auxiliary members.