Honoring the service and sacrifice of over 7,000 American service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation during the Global War on Terrorism remains a vital mission of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.
Scott DeLuzio, a former Connecticut Army National Guard Sergeant and Gold Star Brother, brings a deeply personal perspective to his new role. After losing his brother, Sergeant Steven DeLuzio, who was killed in action while they were both deployed to Afghanistan, Scott has dedicated his life to advocating for post-traumatic stress awareness and providing support to veterans and their families. As a Uniformed Veteran Fellow, Scott will continue this mission by educating future generations on the enduring impact of the Global War on Terrorism and celebrating the resilience of those who serve and sacrifice.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
I am an Army veteran, having served nearly six years as an infantryman with the Connecticut Army National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. I’m also a Gold Star Brother, having lost my younger brother, Sergeant Steven DeLuzio, during that same deployment. My experiences in combat and the loss of my brother have driven my passion for supporting veterans and their families. Today, I focus on advocating for mental health awareness and helping veterans connect with resources and support systems through my podcast, Drive On Podcast, and other initiatives. I also live in Arizona with my wife, three children, and two English Bulldogs – Liberty and Justice.
Q: What inspired you to enlist in the Army National Guard?
The events of September 11th, 2001 were a defining moment for me. I was a college student at the time and wanted to enlist immediately, but I decided to finish my education first. After graduating, I heard a news report that the military was struggling to meet its recruiting goals, and it struck me: If I was capable of serving, why wasn’t I stepping up?
That realization, combined with my younger brother, Steven, who had already enlisted, motivated me to join the Connecticut Army National Guard in 2005. It felt like a way to give back to my country and contribute to something greater than myself.
Q: Both you and your brother were deployed to Afghanistan at the same time. Could you share what this shared experience meant to you, and how it influenced your perspective on service and sacrifice?
Although my brother and I were both deployed to Afghanistan at the same time in 2010, we were in different units stationed about 90 miles apart. While we didn’t serve side by side, knowing that we were both in the same country and facing similar challenges created a sense of connection and shared purpose. When Steven was killed in action, it was devastating, and it changed my perspective on service and sacrifice. His loss has inspired me to work toward honoring the legacy of those who served and ensuring their sacrifices are remembered.
Q: Your advocacy work for post-traumatic stress is deeply impactful. Please share your personal experience and why this mission is so important for veterans and their families.
After returning home from Afghanistan, I struggled with post-traumatic stress and the grief of losing my brother. It was a challenging transition, and I noticed many of my fellow veterans were facing similar struggles – sometimes without the support they needed. I began to lose friends to suicide, which was both heartbreaking and frustrating. It felt unacceptable that we survived combat only to lose each other at home. That’s what drove me to create the Drive On Podcast to share stories, foster connections, and let veterans know they’re not alone. This mission is personal to me because I’ve seen how powerful support can be, and I wanted to help others navigate their journey to healing.
Q: Do you have a personal story about supporting a fellow veteran through their post-traumatic stress journey that you could share?
One listener reached out after hearing an episode of my podcast that resonated with him. He shared how he was in a dark place, struggling with thoughts of suicide but hearing the stories on the podcast gave him hope and the courage to seek help. Moments like that reaffirm why I do this work.
Additionally, a guest on the podcast shared his experiences for the first time during our interview. After we wrapped up, you could see a tremendous weight lifted off his shoulders. He told me he felt a sense of relief and even asked if I knew of other veteran podcasters he could connect with because he wanted to keep sharing his story. Seeing the transformative power of storytelling firsthand reminds me how important it is to provide veterans with a platform to share and connect—it can make a life-changing difference.
Q: What does it mean for you to be named a Uniformed Veteran Fellow?
Being named a Uniformed Veteran Fellow is an incredible honor. It’s an opportunity to give back to the military community that has given me so much and to play a role in ensuring the sacrifices of my generation are remembered. This Fellowship allows me to use my voice to raise awareness, foster connections, and help build a lasting legacy through the Global War on Terrorism Memorial.
Q: Why is the Global War on Terrorism Memorial important to you and your family?
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial is deeply personal to me because it represents the service and sacrifices of an entire generation. This includes not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice, like my brother Steven, but also the countless men and women who answered the call to serve, many of whom still live with the visible and invisible wounds of war. For my family, it’s a way to celebrate Steven’s sacrifice while also honoring all those who served during the Global War on Terrorism.
