OGLESBY – A scholarship has been established to memorialize a soldier from Streator who fought bravely in the Middle East only to succumb to war-related injury and illness six years after returning home. The Tyler Derossett Memorial Veterans Award has been created by his former wife Lani Derossett, son Jhase and parents Tina Derossett of Streator and Larry Derossett of Brentwood, Tenn. Tyler enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately following his 2007 graduation from Streator High School. In six years of service he did combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Tyler came home in 2013 with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and struggled with civilian life,” Lani said.
He became a father in 2014 when Jhase was born and enjoyed time outdoors fishing and camping. However, after five more years struggling to adapt to life back home, he took his own life July 24, 2019. In Tyler’s obituary, his mother Tina said, “22 veterans commit suicide every day. Today it felt like 23.”
Lani Derossett is hopeful the award shows other veterans there is significant support available to them at IVCC.
“Our family created this scholarship to help other veterans feel the support of a ‘community’ by attending IVCC,” said Lani, herself a recent IVCC graduate and Foundation scholarship recipient. The $500 scholarship will be awarded for the first time this fall to a veteran of the armed forces.
“I really truly hope this can make a difference to someone who needs it,” Lani said.
