John Michael LaBossiere

John Michael LaBossiere was born April 13. 1983 to Phil and Marcia LaBossiere in Everett, WA. He grew up in Lake Stevens, graduating from Lake Stevens High School in June 2001. He loved playing soccer and fishing.

From a very young age John began talking about being an Army man when he grew up, which he eventually accomplished and was happy with the military lifestyle. He was married while stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.

Soon after 9-11 happened, John felt compelled to join the USMC to help fight for his country. He also served as an Army National Guard soldier. John served two tours with the Marines and one with the Army in Iraq. John's world changed on 09-11-01 and again on 11-01-09. He is laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA (section 28A, site 747). He has three children; one daughter and two sons.

John was part of the initial entrance into Baghdad in March 2003, which was a very scary time for us at home. One night my husband and I woke in the middle of the night with an urgent need to pray for our son, who was in harm's way. When he returned home he was able to share with us what happened during that event. There had been a severe sandstorm which forced the convoy to stop because they could not see. His command announced they were surrounded and to prepare their rifles with bayonets as they may be in hand-to-hand combat shortly. John remembers thinking, 'the only way out of this is if it rains', and it immediately began to rain! WOW! Now fast forward to the front of the convoy … the rain had managed to uncover hundreds of landmines in front of them which were able to be defused safely without any lost lives! God had showed up and taken care of our son and many others that day.

We lost John due to untreated PTSD, at the age of 26, in a police homicide incident shortly after his return stateside on November 1, 2009. His children were ages 5 years, 2 years, and 8 months. He was based out of Fort Lewis, Tacoma, WA. (JF HQ - WA Camp Murray 11B10 00 Infantryman) His last duty station was CO A 1-161 IN BN FC Fort McCoy, WI.

I believe it was John's destiny to serve. John was lovingly known to his service buddies as "Boss".

My husband and I have co-authored a children's book called, "Where is my Daddy NOW? A visit to the cemetery" about our granddaughter when she began asking questions. We have included information about PTSD and how it is not limited to Veterans; it is about trauma and we all experience trauma at some point in our lives. Our hope is to educate people about when to get professional help and to recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD.