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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens
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View as web page:
[link removed]
October 20, 2023
Contact: David Cruz - (818) 689-9991 Mobile
[email protected]
LULAC HONORS BRANDON CASERTA WITH POSTHUMOUS MEMBERSHIP AHEAD OF WREATH-LAYING
CEREMONY AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY
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Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Remembers Navy
Service Member Being Saluted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Washington, DC - LULAC proudly announces the first-ever posthumous membership in
its 95-year history to Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, the namesake
of THE BRANDON ACT. This historic occasion takes place as we prepare to
commemorate Brandon's legacy with a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery
on October 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM ET. To watch the ceremony live, please visit
LULAC's official website [ [link removed] ] . Many elected and military
leaders who led the fight for THE BRANDON ACT will attend the historic ceremony
including Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Domingo Garcia, LULAC national president, expressed the significance of this
moment, stating, "I cannot think of a moment or person more fitting in LULAC's
history to be granted the first posthumous membership. Brandon Caserta gave his
life, not out of weakness, but in a moment of decision. He told his parents his
act was so that action would be taken to make conditions in the military better
and safer for other service members. The wreath laying at Arlington Cemetery is
an important part of the healing and reconciliation so that our military can be
stronger and ready always to defend our nation."
Brandon Caserta tragically passed away by suicide in June 2018 in Norfolk,
Virginia. His untimely death is a stark reminder of our armed forces' urgent need
for mental health support. His pleas for help were met with indifference from a
toxic command environment marred by chronic bullying, harassment, and assault.
Roman Palomares, LULAC Military and Veterans Affairs Committee chair emphasized
LULAC's commitment to this cause: "LULAC is proud to stand with Patrick and Teri
Caserta and with our service members being protected by THE BRANDON ACT. Over the
past many months since Brandon's tragic death, we have worked tirelessly with the
Department of Defense to rebuild the trust in our military within the Latino
community. This ceremony is a vital step in that process. We welcome Brandon to
LULAC, a member forever."
Following his death, investigators discovered a heartfelt letter addressed to his
parents, Teri and Patrick Caserta. In this poignant letter, Brandon implored them
to undertake the mission he could not complete himself: to ensure that military
service members could access mental health services without requiring approval
from their commanders and without fear of retaliation. Determined to honor their
son's memory, Teri and Patrick Caserta tirelessly championed the cause and
secured bipartisan support in Congress for the passage of THE BRANDON ACT.
President Biden signed this transformative legislation into law in December 2021.
Today, all service branches of the Department of Defense have implemented THE
BRANDON ACT, and the U.S. Coast Guard is doing the same under the Department of
Homeland Security.
Patrick Caserta, Brandon’s father, and co-author of THE BRANDON ACT offered these
heartfelt words, "We lost our only son to suicide and are working hard every day
to fulfill his wish to help save other service members. Brandon's legacy is THE
BRANDON ACT, and this wreath-laying ceremony acknowledges his sacrifice so others
could live."
Teri Caserta, Brandon's mother, and president of the Brandon Caserta Foundation,
expressed their family's enduring commitment, stating, "We miss Brandon terribly
every day and will always feel the pain of his loss. However, he left us an
important job: ensuring every military service member gets the help they need
when experiencing a mental health crisis. That is the law now, and we're proud
THE BRANDON ACT is making that possible. No man or woman in military uniform
should ever have to feel alone again."
# # #
About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and
oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans
and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000
councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and
advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of
today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .
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