Her challenge coin is inscribed with a quote by President John F. Kennedy: "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."

It has a symbol for the "Chain of Communication," a star for Post Falls and the emblem of the U.S. Coast Guard, the military branch in which she served.

Her white hat is decorated with pins showcasing her dedication to the American Legion family, her participation in the American Legion Auxiliary and her August visit to the 106th National American Legion Convention in Tampa.

A founder of Rathdrum American Legion Post 154 and a retired public education paraprofessional, Deanna "Dee" Sasse of Post Falls is continuing to serve her state and country during a year-long journey as Idaho American Legion department commander.

She is the first Kootenai County woman and third female in the Idaho Legion's 106-year history to be elected to the position, following her predecessors, both of Grangeville: Katrina K. Bentley who served in the office from 2009-2010 and Jinny Cash who served from 2021-2022.

American Legion women are having a moment as more ladies step into leadership roles of the historically male-led patriotic veterans' organization. Just eight years ago, Army veteran Denise Rohan was elected as the first female national commander. Departments across the country in 2025 have more women commanders than previous years.

"It’s not about women in the Legion; lots of us don’t look at it that way,” Sasse said Oct. 15. “Lots of us were in the military, we all wear a uniform, so we’re all the same."

She said the larger picture is the honor and privilege of being elected to the position by fellow Legionnaires.

"Everyone brings their own ideas and suggestions to the party," she said. "I feel very lucky to be a role model for young veterans and young women veterans."

Sasse was elected commander of the Manuel Schneidmiller American Legion Post 154 in Rathdrum, which had a temporary charter issued in 2014 and permanent charter in 2015. She was Post 154 commander until 2023.

She began working toward becoming department commander seven years ago. She campaigned on five main points: bringing together the American Legion family, assisting with a new Department of Idaho College to enhance training, ensuring members truly know how the Legion functions, forming a committee to develop and achieve goals and creating a user-friendly department web page that can be used by all.

Sasse spent 22 years in the Coast Guard and would still be doing it today if she could. Her father was in the Army Air Corps, which became the Air Force; her stepdad and brother were in the Navy; and her first husband was in the Army. None of those branches called to her the way the Coast Guard did — she wanted to help people and she wanted adventure.

"When I was a little kid growing up, I wanted to be Jacques Cousteau," she said. "When I joined the Coast Guard, I'd only seen the ocean once."

Women have participated in the military since the beginning, Sasse said.

"Lots of times we were never recognized for it, or we just wore a men's uniform and just did the job," she said.

In the Coast Guard, which is responsible for managing lighthouses, women have long done their part when duty called.

"Lots of times, when a husband would pass away, or their father was the lighthouse keeper, they became the lighthouse keeper," Sasse said. "Today, the Coast Guard has many ships that were named for women lighthouse keepers. They would go out on the same seas with the crew and save people and do whatever they needed to do. Being a lighthouse keeper was very, very difficult work."

Misunderstandings about the nature of women's military service persist despite the reality that women have always served in diverse and dangerous roles, with many serving in combat zones even before official policy changes in 2013 opened more opportunities. Common myths, such as "women didn't serve in combat" or "never left the continental U.S." dismiss the real experiences of female veterans, who often report facing stereotypes and having to work harder than their male counterparts for the same recognition. 

The American Legion works to highlight the significant contributions of female veterans and advocate for their needs, including for equitable health care and support.

And although 2025 is seeing that moment for women in the Legion, females actually have a long history as leaders of the organization. The first female national officer, World War II veteran Emily Herbert, was elected in 1957.

Women veterans who served at least one day of active military since Dec. 7, 1941, and were honorably discharged or are still serving are eligible for American Legion membership. They have been eligible to join the Legion since it was founded in 1919. Several posts are named for female veterans who died serving their country.

The American Legion will launch a women veteran survey at legion.org in January.

"As more women serve in the armed forces, the number of women veterans — currently about 2 million — will also grow," the website states. "Yet only about 25% of that population is using the VA health care system. The American Legion is launching a two-month, worldwide online survey Jan. 5 to find out why."

In a press release, Jimmie Foster, national commander of the American Legion, said after analyzing the data that is collected, the Legion will be better qualified to make specific recommendations for congressional appropriations, VA programs and facilities and to increase public awareness of issues facing women veterans.

    Idaho American Legion Department Commander Dee Sasse, right, is seen in 2018 with Denise Rohan, the first female national commander of the American Legion.
  

    Dee Sasse speaks to the crowd during a Memorial Day Remembrance Day Ceremony in Rathdrum in 2016.
  

    Dee Sasse and her late husband, Vietnam veteran Dave Sasse, made Coast Guard history when they were both promoted from engineer to chief warrant officer on the same day. They're pictured here in 2004.