By Brian Cano Sr., Peoria Times Staff Writer – Aug 20, 2020

Since June 25, 2018, the day 21-year-old sailor Brandon Caserta died by suicide on a helicopter flight deck, Patrick and Teri Caserta have done everything they could to bring justice to their son.

A 2015 Liberty High School graduate, Brandon was an aircrew aviation electrician for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia. 

“They bullied and harassed Brandon, they tortured and messed with him on a daily basis,” said his father, Patrick, a retired Navy recruiter. “From the moment he arrived in Norfolk, they treated him horribly.”  

On July 28, U.S. Sen. Martha McSally introduced legislation in honor of Brandon. According to the Brandon Act, if signed into law, sailors could initiate an immediate referral in a highly confidential manner. 

McSally said the Casertas have “every right to be withdrawn” because of the overwhelming grief of losing their son. McSally said it was important that Patrick and Teri turned their pain into advocacy in Brandon’s memory.

“This is an epidemic in our society. We’ve all been touched by this to include myself; people we know have loved ones who have taken their own lives,” McSally said. “I’m so proud of Patrick and Teri.”

Patrick and Teri have devoted their lives to exposing military bullying and hazing. They believe a combination of lack of Navy leadership and an out-of-control commander prompted Brandon to take his life

According to the House Congressional record, “Brandon was a 21-year-old United States Navy petty officer. He couldn’t get mental health help when he needed it, and as a result, he died from suicide on the flight line of his squadron in Norfolk, Virginia.” 

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