Vice Commanders

Thomas L. Burns
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2007-2008

Thomas L. Burns was elected national vice commander of The American Legion on August 30, 2007 during the closing session of the 89th National Convention in Reno, Nev.

A U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard veteran with service during the Korean War, Burns is a member of American Legion Post 24 in Dagsboro, Del. While serving as a district commander, he twice won the coveted "Race to the Top" American Legion national competition for outstanding recruitment of new Legionnaires. A retired foreman and equipment operator, he also serves as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in South Bethany, Del.

A member of The American Legion for 18 years, Burns has held numerous leadership positions at the post, department and national levels. Most recently, he has served as vice chairman of the National Legislative Council since 2000.

Burns and his wife, Marsha, reside in Ocean View, Del.

Peggy G. Dettori
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2007-2008

Peggy G. Dettori was elected national vice commander of The American Legion on August 30, 2007 during the closing session of the 89th National Convention in Reno, Nev.

A U.S. Army veteran with service during the Vietnam War, the McMinnville, Ore. native worked as the advertising production coordinator for Time Magazine in New York before moving to Alaska in 1986. Today she serves as the treasurer of the local Salvation Army, where she has been on its Advisory Council for more than five years.

A member of Robert G. Blair American Legion Post 17 in Kodiak, Alaska since 1998, she has held numerous leadership positions at the post, department and national level. Those roles include serving for two years as post commander (2000-2002), department commander ((2005-2006), alternate national executive committeeman (2006-2007) and many other positions.

Dettori has two sons and resides in Kodiak, where she has been the featured speaker at many different events honoring veterans.

Randall Allen Fisher
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2007-2008

Randall Allen Fisher was elected national vice commander of The American Legion on August 30, 2007 during the closing session of the 89th National Convention in Reno, Nev.

A U.S. Air Force veteran with service during the Vietnam War, Fisher worked as a nurse manager, nurse practitioner and emergency room nurse for the Veterans Hospital in Lexington, Ky., for 32 years.

A member of American Legion Post #257 in Millensburg, Fisher has been a Legionnaire since 1978 and has held numerous leadership positions at the post, department and national levels. Those roles include serving as post and department commander, member of the National Executive Committee, department oratorical chairman, department service director, department membership chairman, department internal affairs chairman and several other positions.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, he and his wife Marian reside in Paris, Ky. They have two daughters, Tamara J. Fisher and Kimberly R. Fisher.

Donald J. "Don" Hayden
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2006-2007

Donald J. Hayden was elected national vice commander of The American Legion on August 30, 2007 during the closing session of the 89th National Convention in Reno. Nev.

A U.S. Navy veteran with service during the Vietnam War era, Hayden is the executive director of the LeCenter Economic Development Authority in Minnesota. He also serves on the board of directors of the Queen of Peace Hospital Foundation.

A member of Post 108 in LeCenter, Hayden has been a Legionnaire since 1988 and has held numerous leadership positions at the post, department and national levels of The American Legion. Those positions include post commander (1993-1994), department commander (2002-2003), Minnesota district 3 commander (1996-1997), National Americanism Commission member, National Internal Affairs Commission member and several others.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Hayden has a degree in mortuary science. He and his wife, Mary Louise, reside in LeCenter. They have two children and two grandchildren.

David A. Korth
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2006-2007

David A. Korth was elected national vice commander of The American Legion on August 30, 2007 during the closing session of the 89th National Convention in Reno, Nev.

A U.S. Navy veteran with service during the Vietnam War, Korth is a planning commissioner for the city of Marshfield, Wisc. He retired from G.T.E. / Verizon after 33 years of service and worked as an office manager for The American Legion Department of Wisconsin for several year. He also serves on Marshfield's Historic Preservation Commission and Regional Planning Commission.

A member of Post 54 in Marshfield, Korth has held many leadership positions at the post, department and national levels. He served as Wisconsin's 8th district commander from 1991-1993, department commander from 1994-1995, national executive committeeman from 2000-2004 and in many other positions.

Korth earned an associates in science degree at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. He and his wife, Dianne, reside in Marshfield. They have two children and three grandchildren.