Sgt. Joseph B. VanderLaan, January 2, 1971-December 17, 2011
United States Marine Corp Scout Sniper,
Radio Operator & Primary Marksmanship Instructor.
Served 8 years, 3 tours in Iraq, Operation Eager Mace in Kuwait, Operation Nautical Mantis in Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Stay, U.N. Transport of Pakistani Forces in Somalia, Operation Fiery Vigil in The Republic of the Philippines, 1 float on U.S.S. Schenectady, Earned Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 stars, Meritorious Unit Citation, 2 letters of appreciation, Sea Service Deployment Medal, Over Seas Medal, Naval Unit Commendation Medal.
J.B. was a quiet and unassuming man who took pride in being a Marine, a Son, and a Brother. He kept to himself mostly, making sure to attend to his Father's needs with little regard for himself in the process. Those that new J.B. or served with him saw past his quiet reserve and knew the true nature of his heart. J.B. suffered a brain seizure along with other complications, passing in peace in the arms of his Father, Michael Vanderlaan.
J.B.'s brother, Ted Vanderlaan (also a former Marine), quietly posted the following statement about his brother:
" It just disappeared without any warning or a word. Today I lost one of the few things in this cesspool of a world that even made being on this planet even partially tolerable. One of the only people I’ve ever had touched my life in such a way. Today I lost my baby brother. Most have never known him; he was a shy and quite unassuming man. He lived his life in obscurity, living with my parents and not venturing far from home. He spent every day worrying about them, taking care of them, and living a quiet life that few, if any, can understand or appreciate. He was a true angel. Maybe some people are blessed with many, and maybe some will never have the opportunity to know a single one….but for me, I’ve been blessed with far more than anyone ever deserves. The only other angle in my life was my grandmother on my mother’s side, not an angel not in waiting, but someone who touched everyone in her life and made everyone’s life a little better just by coming in contact with her. The other, my brother and the person I’ve worried about and fretted over my entire life. The only person that looked up to me his entire life, but who I could never help. He was a true patriot’ that loved this country as much as I did and risked his life in the service of this country in the Marine Corps. He, like so many of our fallen brothers, believed that everything this country stand for is worth dying for, even if it is to protect those that live here and hate everything about us. He was unique among those I’ve know in my life. I‘ve never experienced him being mean, cruel, or even temporarily self-serving. He was a beautiful human being of the like which we can only strive for in this world. "
Wishing my friend and brother in arms a peaceful rest, and peaceful hearts and minds to his family and friends. Until we meet again J.B…..Semper Fidelis
LCpl T.L. Palmer
7th ESB, 1st BF Co. – FMF PAC
USMC