The second piece of art will honor Brandon Caserta. He died from suicide after he was sexually assaulted, bullied and harassed from fellow sailors back in 2018.
KILLEEN, Texas — The LULAC organization is hoping to honor and remember soldiers who lost their lives.
This comes after graffiti markings were found on the back of Vanessa Guillen’s mural off post in Killeen.
The organization says they are hoping to restore the mural by adding a powerful second piece of art on the backside.
It’s to honor Brandon Caserta who served in the U.S. Navy. He died from suicide after he was sexually assaulted and faced bullying and harassment from sailors back in 2018, according to LULAC. The Brandon Act was also introduced into legislation following his death.
Both the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act and The Brandon Act were signed into law by the president on Dec. 27, 2021. These two historic acts brought the largest reform in the military since the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell legislation.
“Four years ago, we were out here advocating for Vanessa Guillen,” AnaLuisa Carrillo-Tapia, LULAC District Director, said. “We have her on one side. Every day every service member leaves, they see her. They see her and she is accounted for now. On this side, we have graffiti, and that’s something that we don’t want and we don’t want to tolerate that. We care about our soldiers, our service members, our community is intact.”
LULAC tells 6 News they hope to have the new mural completed by June 25, the anniversary of Caserta’s death. However, they need the funds to do so and are asking for the community’s help.
There is an active GoFundMe with their mission and plans.
The GoFundMe says:
Adding the Brandon Caserta Mural will complement the Vanessa Guillen mural and its mission. These together will be a reminder to all active duty who visit Fort Cavazos daily, to remember their battle buddies who served and were overcome by the battle within, to remind them that they also can demand The Brandon Act to receive mental health help without fear of retaliation, and that we will never leave any of them behind. These enhancements will demonstrate our continued commitment to the pursuit of justice in the name of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and AE3 Brandon Caserta.
To donate, click here.
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