Department 1st Vice President
Lora A. Rowe
Email: nyalamembership@gmail.com
Department 1st Vice President Biography
Lora has been a proud member of the Sherburne American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #876 in Chenango County for 36 years. Her eligibility is through her father, Anthony (Tony) Annesi, a WW II veteran. Both her father and mother, Ruth, were long-time legion family members.
Lora has served as an officer and a committee chairman on a variety of levels. Sherburne Unit #876 – President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership, Chaplain, and Parliamentarian; Chenango County – President, Secretary, and Sergeant-At-Arms; Sixth District – President, Vice President, Secretary, Sergeant-At-Arms (twice), Membership, and Jr. Activities; and Department of New York 3rd Vice President and 2nd Vice President. Lora believes in the importance of committees and has had the pleasure of being the Chairman of many for both Sherburne Unit #876 and Chenango County. Lora has been Department of New York’s Community Service Chairman, Children and Youth Chairman, and Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman.
At the virtual 2022 Mid-Winter Leadership Conference, Lora was a presenter on Duties of the Unit President. At the 2023 in-person Mid-Winter Leadership Conference, Lora presented on Be a Beacon: The Future is Bright, which detailed leadership opportunities within the American Legion Auxiliary, and in 2025 she presented on Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation.
For both the 2020 and the 2022 Department Conventions, she was the Candidates Reception Chairman and was Co-Chairman for the State Dinner, with her being the Master of Ceremonies for the 2022 dinner.
Lora serves on the New York State Governor-appointed Board of Visitors for the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford, NY and currently holds the office of Secretary.
After 40 years of employment at Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, Lora retired in April 2024. She currently works part-time at Nelson and Flanagan’s Law Firm and at the Sherburne-Earlville School District.
Lora and her husband of 35 years, Thomas, who is a SAL member, reside in Norwich.
Department 2nd Vice President
Yvonne Brunner
Email: nyalaVAandR@gmail.com
Department 2nd Vice President Biography
Yvonne is a member of the Lynbrook Unit 335 in Nassau County. She has earned her eligibility through the service of her father who served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and through the service of her Legionnaire husband Joseph A. Brunner Jr. who served his country as a Naval Corpsman for 24 years.
Yvonne has demonstrated her commitment to the mission of our organization by serving on all committees from the Unit, County and District levels. Yvonne understands the importance of mentoring our members. She has initiated many Unit and one-to-one sessions on the roles and responsibilities of various committees as well as leadership duties.
On the Unit/County level she successfully hosted fundraisers, purchased home appliances for a communal home for veterans, assisted with preparing meals for homebound veterans. She partnered with local businesses to get new toys for children in a local medical center. She fundraised to send military children on a one a one-week camping experience geared to counseling their emotional needs.
She has served as the Department of New York’s Historian as well as last year’s Chair and host of the State Dinner at Westchester County. On the National level she served as a member on the National Constitution & Bylaws Committee and served as a two-year member of the National Historian Committee.
Yvonne is now retired and lives with her husband Joe of 37 years, they reside on Long Island. They have two daughters and one grandson.
Department 3rd Vice President
Julianne Barton
Email: nyalachildrenandyouth@gmail.com
Department 3rd Vice President Biography
Julianne is a member of Lee Unit #1794 in Oneida County. She gains her eligibility through her grandfather, the late Paul W. Geers, retired US Air Force who served during several wars. Her father also served and retired from the US Air Force.
Julianne began her journey as member of the award-winning color guard and soon realized that the American Legion Auxiliary was her niche. She has served on all the committees at the Unit, County and District level. She is currently serving as Unit President, Treasurer for the Lee Chapter of the American Legion Riders, and Oneida County 2nd Vice President. Julie always leads by example. She is known for mentoring those around her to ensure that knowledge and traditions of the organization are always shared and implemented.
She served in several offices at the 5th District level, including President in 23-24. On the Department level, she was the Junior Activities Chair and the Public Relations Chair. She is presently Children and Youth Chairman.
Julianne recognizes the need to honor our Veterans and does at every level. Presently, as County VA&R Chair, she purchases Christmas gifts for all the Veterans in assisted living facilities in Oneida County. For many, this gift is the only one they will receive. She has also delivered Valentine’s Day buttons and cards to each one in February for the last four years. Her commitment to our Veterans is truly one of her finest attributes.
Julianne resides in Lee Center surrounded by her family and friends. Upholding the belief of Service not Self, her children all serve the community through public safety careers. Her children and grandchildren all belong to Lee Legion Family. Her granddaughters are Honorary Junior Department Officers and her grandson is presently serving in the US Army at Fort Knox, KY.
UPDATED 8/19/2025