[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 201 (Thursday, December 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S14137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        Corporal Xhacob LaTorre

  Mr. DODD. Madam President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to mark the passing and honor the service of Marine CPL Xhacob LaTorre 
of Waterbury, CT.
  Corporal LaTorre died this week of wounds he sustained from a 
roadside bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan's Helmand province. He 
would have celebrated his 22nd birthday last Saturday.
  Corporal LaTorre graduated from Crosby High School where he was 
active in the ROTC program. A born leader, he joined the Marine Corps 
in 2005. He was on his third tour of duty, having served two tours in 
Iraq and was awarded a good conduct citation and a Purple Heart.
  In his too short time, Corporal LaTorre proved himself as a soldier 
and a patriot. The bravery and dedication he showed as a marine, 
however, was just one side of his personality. To his friends and 
family, Xhacob will be remembered as an outgoing and energetic young 
man with a kind heart, a penchant for mischief, and an infectious sense 
of humor.
  As a young boy, Xhacob earned pocket money by going from table to 
table at a restaurant, charming patrons and earning a dollar for each 
joke he told.
  That young boy grew into a man of integrity and courage. His service 
and his sacrifice are a credit to his parents, Daniel and Nicole. I 
know how proud they are of him, and I hope they know that we grieve 
alongside them. They, along with Xhacob's wife, Frances, and his young 
son, Javier, are in our hearts.
  It may seem at times a sad irony that our best and brightest young 
men and women are the ones who go into battle and sometimes do not come 
home, having given their lives in service to their country. But that is 
what keeps our Nation strong and free.
  All of us in Connecticut and across America mourn the loss of CPL 
Xhacob LaTorre. And none of us will ever forget the debt of gratitude 
we owe to him and his family.
  I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the attached 
articles.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

            Family and Friends Say Goodbye to Fallen Marine

                    (By Amanda Raus and Doug Greene)

       Family, friends and fellow Marines went to the Chase 
     Parkway Memorial on Wednesday to pay their respects to 
     Corporal Xhacob LaTorre, a proud Marine dedicated to serving 
     his country who lost his life fighting for it.
       On Thursday morning, the Patriot Riders were there, with 
     flags to salute the fallen Marine on a bitterly cold December 
     morning.
       ``It is a very sad day for us,'' LaTorre's aunt, Carmen 
     Lasalle, said. ``May God help us all overcome such a big 
     loss. We will make sure we all teach little Javy the same 
     values we taught you and from Heaven where you will be 
     resting in peace and looking after your son and wife, I hope 
     to feel your smile.''
       ``It's deeply moving, a debt of honor. We're indebted to 
     him for the service he's provided to our country,'' said 
     Peter Verseckas, a former Naval Reserve man on Wednesday.
       LaTorre was in his third tour of duty, stationed in 
     Afghanistan, when he was injured by a terrorist bomb in 
     August. He lost both his legs but never lost his spirit. For 
     four months he fought for his life with his wife, Frances, by 
     his side the whole time.
       ``I got the call he was going to die at any moment. I went 
     running, and I was there, and as soon as I got there, he 
     died,'' said Frances LaTorre.
       Even at the very end, LaTorre was happy. That's how his 
     family always knew him to be. They say he was a fun-loving 
     person who put others before himself.
       ``He was wonderful, he was always there for everyone. Every 
     person that he touched was special, special to him,'' said 
     his aunt, Carmen LaSalle.
       The people most special and closest to his heart were his 
     family members, especially his 18-month-old son Javier. 
     Frances says he's already a spitting image of his father.
       ``He looks just like him. He does a lot of the same things 
     his father does,'' she said.
       ``To me, it's like he never left. Seeing his son, is seeing 
     him grow up all over again,'' said Xhacob's brother, Danny 
     LaTorre.
       And while they watch Javier grow, they'll remember the 
     dedicated husband, brother, nephew, father and Marine LaTorre 
     was.
       ``Everybody makes great sacrifices. He made his. I'll 
     always honor and treasure that,'' said Danny LaTorre.
       A funeral service was held on Thursday morning at 10:30 
     a.m. at the Chase Parkway Memorial. Then Corporal LaTorre 
     will be buried with full military honors at the State 
     Veteran's Cemetery in Middletown.
                                  ____


                  Waterbury Marine Dies in Afghanistan

       Waterbury (WTNH)--A Marine from Waterbury has died from 
     wounds he received in Afghanistan, the Defense Dept said 
     Thursday.
       He's identified as Corporal Xhacob LaTorre, and he was 21 
     years old.
       The DoD says Cpl. LaTorre died Dec. 8th ``of wounds 
     sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand 
     province, Afghanistan.''
       LaTorre graduated from Crosby High school in 2005. His 
     family still lives in Waterbury.
       ``I know the city of Waterbury will rally in support of the 
     family and for his dedicated service,'' said Mayor Michael 
     Jarjura (D-Waterbury).
       LaTorre leaves behind a wife and son.
       In a statement posted on Facebook, Cpl. LaTorre's sister 
     said ``Thank you so much for loving Xhacob and for the time 
     you all shared with him. He was unique and will always be 
     with us.''
       Cpl. LaTorre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine 
     Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force 
     out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
       Waterbury lowered the flag over City Hall to half staff in 
     Cpl. LaTorre's honor.
       Gov. Jodi Rell ordered all flags in the state to be lowered 
     to half-staff until sundown after LaTorre's funeral.
       ``On behalf of all Connecticut residents, I extend 
     heartfelt condolences to Corporal LaTorre's family and 
     friends,'' Governor Rell said. ``He made the ultimate 
     sacrifice to protect our country and our way of life, and we 
     will honor his selfless service by lowering our flags. 
     Corporal Latorre is truly a hero.''
       There was no word on funeral arrangements.
                                  ____


       Governor Rell: Flags at Half Staff To Honor Fallen Marine

       Governor M. Jodi Rell today ordered U.S. and State of 
     Connecticut flags to half staff to honor a U.S. Marine from 
     Waterbury who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in 
     Afghanistan.
       Cpl. Xhacob Latorre, 21, died December 8 of wounds 
     sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand 
     province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th 
     Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary 
     Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
       ``On behalf of all Connecticut residents, I extend 
     heartfelt condolences to Corporal Latorre's family and 
     friends,'' Governor Rell said. ``He made the ultimate 
     sacrifice to protect our country and our way of life, and we 
     will honor his selfless service by lowering our flags. 
     Corporal Latorre is truly a hero.''
       Flags will remain at half staff until sundown on the day of 
     Cpl. Latorre's funeral. Arrangements are to be announced.
       For additional background information, please contact the 
     II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at 910-
     451-7200.

                          ____________________