Long Beach Veteran Tapped for Special Mission to Israel

Long Beach resident Scott Castillo, an Afghaninstan and Iraqi combat veteran, will join with nine other veterans to participated in a post-military mentoring program in Israel later this month.

“I'm honored to be selected and given this opportunity to embark in this incredible journey,” Castillo told Patch.

A former member of our nation’s Special Operations Command as an Airborne Ranger, Castillo will spend 10 days (from Aug. 29th to Sept. 9) travelling with Israeli wounded veterans, army officers and soldiers to learn about living with terrorism and having enemies at your broders, according to the Nassau County News Network.

Castillo, who Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano appointed deputy director of Nassau County Veterns Services Agency last year, said about this venture:

Like many other Americans, I was inspired to action after the events of 9/11. And just like other servicemen and women who are completing their tours of duty and returning, I have made it a personal mission to ‘combat’ issues at home, including suicides, alcoholism, and unemployment and homeless. These stem mainly from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The program is hosted by the New Jersey–based non-profit Heroes to Heroes Foundation.