Quest for Closure: Justice for Brandon

By Brian Cano, Peoria Times Contributing Writer Jun 17, 2021

Liberty High School graduate Brandon Caserta walked to the flight line at Naval Station Norfolk on June 25, 2018, and said, “I’m sorry you have to see this.”

The 21-year-old man threw himself onto the spinning tail rotor of the military helicopter.

Since then, Brandon’s parents, Patrick and Teri Caserta, said they have left no stone unturned.

On June 25, 2020, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), along with the Casertas, presented the national legislation. Teri said The Brandon Act would make it easier for service members to seek mental health care unidentified.

“I am very vocal,” Teri said. “In order to get somebody interested, I have to tell them what he did when he died.”

Ironically, the Casertas said it was common ground that brought them together with The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which is, reportedly, the nation’s largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization.

Teri said the league understood its mission and “went right to work.” The league launched a month-long campaign on May 25, in Peoria to “Save Our Servicemembers.” A candlelight vigil was held in honor of Brandon at Rio Vista Community Park near the fishing pond at the Peoria’s Veterans Memorial.

Dr. Adam McCray, a clinical psychologist who helms Peoria’s West Valley Vet Center, reminded the crowd that it is possible to be successfully treated from PTSD. It’s never too late to seek help.

“We offer quick, easy access to care for any veteran servicemember who is struggling with difficulties in life,” McCray said.

“We have a particular focus on suicide prevention, identifying concerns that are going on that may lead to suicidal ideation and intervening to save lives.”