Joe's Story

Joe LaBranche, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran, was wounded in combat in 1966 and 1967, earning two Purple Hearts for his service. Upon returning home to Detroit, he faced decades of untreated post-traumatic stress, struggling with emotional challenges, addiction, and isolation for more than 40 years. Through the support of the Atlanta VA Health Care System and dedicated therapy, Joe found healing and purpose, transforming his personal journey into a mission to help others. Alongside his wife, Carol, he founded AboutFace-USA, a nonprofit grounded in the belief that veterans are best able to support one another through understanding, connection, and shared resilience. Today, Joe continues to dedicate his life to empowering veterans and their families, guiding them on their path toward recovery, growth, and hope.

Empower and Encourage

As we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in January 2025, we reflect on our journey and the lessons learned. It’s a celebration not just of our marriage but also of the progress we’ve made in advocating for mental health awareness and support within the veteran community.