By Killian Maree
For the North Star Reporter
State Rep. Adam Scanlon and the town’s oldest living veteran Caster Salemi attended the signing of the HERO Act on August 8.
The HERO Act is a bill that honors, empowers and recognizes veterans. The bill was signed in Lexington, the location of the American Revolution’s ”shot heard round the world”, with hundreds of veterans, representatives of veterans and officials in attendance.
According to an announcement, some of the benefits of the HERO Act include allowing for more mental and behavioral health treatment for veterans, allowing those who served and received medical training to go straight to the EMT test if they wish without any additional courses, creating a Military Family Advocacy Program, as well as many other benefits.
“I’m proud that certain pieces of my legislation to assist our veterans were included in this legislation,” said Scanlon in a statement. “Those who have served and received medical training as part of their service, proving themselves as capable medics in highly stressful situations, should be able to go straight to the test for EMT certification and not have to take another course. I’m also glad that we are waiving some of the fees for some veterans to display their service on their license plates. These veterans are proud of their service and their sacrifice, and they should not have to pay extra to show their pride.”
Salemi is a veteran of World War II. He trained in Paris, Texas, for a year before being sent to the South Pacific. He was stationed in New Guinea from March 1944 to January 1945 and then made the landing in Luzon in the Philippines as part of the 251st Field Artillery. Salemi was then in the Philippines fighting the Japanese from January 1945 until their surrender in 1945. He saw action in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Bayombong, Balette Pass, Cagayan Valley, Iguig and Manila.
Salemi received the Philippines Liberation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service and the World War II Victory Medal. Salemi has lived in North Attleborough since 1990 and remains active with veterans groups, the American Legion, the Italian American War Veterans, Friends of North Attleboro Veterans and is a past member of the Veterans Advisory board.
Salemi first heard about the HERO Act when Scanlon called him the day before to see if he could attend the signing.
“What I appreciate more was the fact that the soldiers that were severely injured got preference over those that were not injured, but still served in a war,” he said. “Those people are [also] being taken care of today under the new Act.”
Scanlon said that he is thrilled that they were able to work with the Senate on the bill for veterans that was passed back in May.
“It’s been years since we updated our programs and policies for veterans, and they deserve our getting this done for them,” said Scanlon.
