Gary B. Leach was elected as a National Vice Commander of The American Legion during the 105th National Convention in New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2024.
Leach is a Vietnam veteran who retired from the U.S. Navy as a senior chief petty officer in 1989. He joined The American Legion in 1993 and is a Paid-up-for-Life member of Yolo Post 77 in Woodland, Calif.
He has held offices at every level of The American Legion, including post commander in 2005; 6th District commander in 2010; department vice commander in 2011; and department commander from 2017-2018. He also served as alternate National Executive Committeeman for the Department of California from 2014 to 2016. In 2012, he was appointed to the department Boys State Commission and has been the director of the program since 2020.
Leach also serves as a facilitator for the California American Legion College, and is a charter member of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 77 based on his father’s service in the Marine Corps during World War II. His son is a Navy veteran who now serves in the California National Guard, and his grandson is currently serving with the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
Leach has a daughter and seven grandchildren. He is certified as a registered parliamentarian from the National Association of Parliamentarians, and has served as president of the Epsilon (Sacramento) Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians and as the Northern Area director of the California State Association of Parliamentarians.
