Today, we celebrate the birthday of Marine Corporal Xhacob LaTorre, a man whose life was defined by devotion, bravery, and boundless kindness. Born on December 12, 1987, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Xhacob was the beloved son of Nicolasa “Nicole” LaSalle and Daniel LaTorre Sr. After moving to Waterbury, Connecticut, he attended Crosby High School, where he joined the ROTC program and showcased his natural leadership. Just three days after graduating in 2005, Xhacob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, embracing the call to service and dedication that would become his legacy.
As a mortar man in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Xhacob’s bravery shone through during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His final deployment to Helmand province in 2009 was marked by immense courage as he faced a life-changing challenge. Despite sustaining severe injuries that led to the loss of both legs, Xhacob’s spirit remained unyielding. He kept his positive attitude alive and maintained his trademark humor, bringing light to those around him even in the toughest moments.
Though Xhacob passed away on December 8, 2009, just days before his 22nd birthday, his legacy continues to inspire. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, a testament to his sacrifices and heroism. “He was a fun-loving person who put others before himself,” said his aunt, Carmen LaSalle. His love and compassion touched everyone he met, creating lasting memories that continue to live on.
Xhacob’s birthday is a reminder of the joy he brought to his family and the community of Waterbury, where he was cherished as a hero. He is survived by his wife, Frances, and their son, Javier, who “is a spitting image of his father,” as Frances fondly shared. Xhacob’s brother, Cpl. Daniel LaSalle LaTorre, himself a Marine, said, “To me, it’s like he never left. Seeing his son is seeing him grow up all over again.”
Today, as we celebrate Xhacob’s birthday, we honor not just his heroism but the laughter, love, and light he shared with everyone around him. His spirit lives on in his son, in the hearts of those who knew him, and in the legacy of service and sacrifice he left behind. Marine Cpl. Xhacob LaTorre will always be remembered and celebrated for the incredible person he was and the enduring impact he made on the world.
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I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.