Staff Sgt. James T. Grotjan, born on September 23, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina, was celebrated annually for his infectious smile, unwavering dedication to service, and vibrant personality. His birthdays were cherished moments among family and friends, where his humor and warmth illuminated every gathering. He brought joy to those around him and left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Staff Sgt. James Tyler “Ty” Grotjan, born on September 23, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on July 12, 2018, at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He was an exceptional individual known for his infectious smile, witty humor, and deep love for his family, dogs, and country. After graduating from Bacon Academy in 2010, Ty enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served with the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, following deployments to South Korea and England. Ty’s vibrant spirit touched everyone around him, earning him the nickname “class clown” for his ability to lighten any mood. He is survived by his parents Randy Grotjan and Laura L. Prentice, step-parents Ali Grotjan and Garret Kusman, siblings, paternal grandparents Alvin and Karen Grotjan, and a large extended family. His unexpected passing leaves a profound void, but his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and cherished him. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 28, 2018, with a procession from Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home in New London to Jordan Cemetery in Waterford, where a graveside service was conducted followed by a celebration of Ty’s life at the Waterford VFW.
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.