Veterans: Joe LaBranche & AboutFace-USA.org

Our GUEST:  Joe LaBranche is a U.S. Marine, Vietnam veteran (1966-1967), served with “Mike” Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. He is the recipient of two Purple Hearts. Joe is the President and Founder of AboutFace-USA, Inc. (www.AboutFace-USA.org), a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing spiritual, financial, physical, and emotional assistance to veterans, their family members, and family members of our fallen. AboutFace-USA also educates the general public on military culture and lifestyle (Military 101). AboutFace-USA empowers veterans and family members to turn their lives around for the better. Joe personally facilitates one-on-one and group support mentoring programs.

Joe is a firm believer in not reinventing the wheel and therefore establishes collaborative partnerships, one of which is Bearfoot Ranch Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy who provide Equine Therapy to the individuals AboutFace-USA serves. Joe also works with the Forsyth County Schools to create hands on gardening therapy (Aeroponic Tower Gardens), which pairs special need students, teachers, and veterans.

Joe is the past Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9143, Post Service Officer, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Marine Corps League, American Legion, and Vice President and co-founder of the Forsyth County Patriots Alliance, which works with community and business leaders to improve community/veteran relations, restore veteran memorials and provide assistance for those in need.

Joe and his wife, Carol, have been married 42 years and have two children and four grandchildren. Joe is proud to be an American and to have served his country.