The Department of Defense recently announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Tonight we remember the life and honor the service of Command Sgt. Maj. John "Keith" Laborde, 53, of Waterloo, Iowa. Laborde died April 22 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Please take a few minutes to join us in remembering the life and honoring the service of this career military man who lost his life serving his country.
His mission is ended and he has earned his rest.
sources: Des Moines Register, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, KWWL.com
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John K. Laborde was born in Louisiana. In July 1975, while just a teenager, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in Camp Pendleton, California. He served as an infantry assaultman, and achieved the rank of staff sergeant. During this part of his military career, Laborde served on active duty in Europe, Africa and southwest Asia.
In 1985 he enlisted in the Army. He joined the 389th Engineer Battalion in Middleton, Iowa and worked as a construction equipment repairer.
Then in 1998, Laborde transferred to the 394th Corps Support Battalion in Ames, Iowa. He deployed with that unit to Saudi Arabia/Kuwait in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Laborde later transferred to the 649th Regional Support Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was promoted to the position of Command Sergeant Major in February 2007. He deployed last August with 50 soldiers of the 649th RSG to provide management and support operations for forces in Afghanistan.
During his long and distinguished military career, Laborde received more than 30 medals and decorations. He was deployed overseas 10 times in his career, and in all his command assignments he never lost a soldier.
In a letter to members of Iowa's Bravest in December, Laborde thanked volunteers for taking the time to send care packages:
"... Your kindness and support has brought smiles to many soldiers in our area of operations. The packages that you sent went to the (Army Reserve) 649th Regional Support Group, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they have shared the generosity to many others within our region. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are enjoying the fruits of your labor, and are sending their thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing back home."
CSM Laborde died April 22 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. Specific details about the incident have not been released, however, First Lt. for the 103rd Expeditionary Support Command Michael Meyer confirmed the death: "Command Sergeant Major Laborde led a distinguished career of over 31 years in the military. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family here in Iowa, and to his comrades-in-arms still serving in Afghanistan."
Not much personal information is currently available about Laborde, as family members are not giving interviews at this time, and have issued a statement through First Lt. Meyer requesting privacy.
However it has been reported that Laborde was active in the Reinbeck Lions Club and American Legion Post 242, and in his ministry as a faithful member of Holy Family Parish, he taught the Roman Catholic catechism to high school age children. A neighbor, Iner Larsen, who lives across the street from the family, spoke briefly with the press in praise of Laborde: "He was a terrific serviceman, I'll you that."
Laborde is the 74th person with Iowa ties killed in Iraq, Afghanistan or other places from combat, illness or accident since the Iraq war began in March 2003.
He is survived by his wife Lori Laborde, five children and two grandchildren. Two of his children also serve in the military.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remember. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released by the DoD, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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