Today, we celebrate the life and contributions of First Lieutenant Thomas J. Brown, born on March 13. His journey began in New Haven, Connecticut, and his remarkable story is one of dedication, bravery, and service. Thomas, a proud graduate of George Mason University, joined the Army in 2005, driven by a deep sense of duty.
After completing his training at Fort Jackson and Fort Benning, Thomas was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Infantry Officer. His rigorous training included the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Mortar Leaders School, Ranger School, and Airborne School. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Armored Division, Thomas embarked on his deployment to Iraq in April 2008.
On September 23, 2008, while bravely serving in Salman Park, Iraq, Thomas’s patrol came under small arms fire. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, embodying the highest ideals of courage and commitment. His valor was recognized posthumously with the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Thomas’s legacy is one of selflessness and leadership. He was known for his compassion and his ability to make a difference in the lives of those around him. His twin brother, Timothy, and the entire Brown family remember him as a dedicated and inspiring individual who led by example.
As we honor Thomas’s memory, we reflect on his contributions both as a soldier and as a person who cared deeply for others. His life and service continue to inspire and remind us of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the armed forces.
**In celebration of First Lieutenant Thomas J. Brown’s life, let us remember his commitment to his country and his enduring impact on all who knew him.*
CONNECTICUT VETERANS BULLETIN’S GALLERY OF VALOR.
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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.