League of United Latin American Citizens has announced the first-ever posthumous membership in its 95-year history to Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, a once Peoria resident and the namesake of the Brandon Act.

This historic occasion comes as Brandon's legacy was commemorated with a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery Oct. 23.

Many elected and military leaders who led the fight for the Brandon Act attended 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 tragically passed away by suicide in June 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia. His untimely death is a stark reminder of the Armed Forces' urgent need for mental health support, according to a news release. His pleas for help were met with indifference from a toxic command environment marred by chronic bullying, harassment, and assault, the release said.

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, Peoria residents 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, the Casertas tirelessly championed the cause and secured bipartisan support in Congress for the passage of the Brandon Act.

President Joe 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 the 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."