DEAR GENTLEPERSONS:
My name is Gwenell Eastman-Costello. I am a 66 year old widow whose husband suddenly died in April. I have a re-attached right foot, I was a passenger on a motorcycle that was hit by a car that kept going; I've been struck in the head by a S.F. Muni Bus; I survived being awakened and trapped at 1:00 a.m. in a two alarm, three explosion natural gas fire (along with my 8 year old son and my sister). So, can you imagine how horrified I was to wake up and find my best friend in the world lying next to me dead.
In 19My Husband was First Class Specialist, Bartley Costello, Purple Heart/Vietnam Era, (Sharp Shooter). Bartley was run over by an 11 ton American Tank while under attack. Bartley's passion was being uda Chef, he had been a Former Head Chef for the prestigeous Claremont Country Club in Berkeley, CA for 15 ysars. Bartley had mastered his Own special culinary signature taste. I hated Chili before meeting him.
I had been in a battle with the Armed Forces for five years. The Army vehemedly denied having any records, whatsoever, of Bartley ever volunteering signing up nor fighing for our Country nor did they have records of the serious injury he sustained while in combat. When God stepped in, the St. Louis Archives sent a complete copy of his records from the time he joined, the incident and proof that he was placed on the permanent disability and permanent retirement lists.
As of to date, I am in dire straits as his widow. I immediate applied for the VA Survivors Benefits package and I also applied for his retirement and combat pay. He had never received his retirement nor combat pay. Before his passing, we had an audit and investigation and he was granted theses benefits. However, I have not received any financial relief even though they have been paying his retirement to someone for 30 years. I have not received any financial relief from the VA, the Army and Social Security are telling me he is not eligible when I just found out today that their is a one time survivor burial benefit. For the past three months, I have not been able to pay bills, by food nor fix our car that broke down 100 miles away from our home. I cannot get to my doctors appointments, go to the grocery store or take care of the business of running the household. We bought our dream home a year ago, but Bartley passed away before we were here a year.
The house is completely empty because we were looking to put new furnishings in it, I cannot sleep in our bed and need new or different bedroom furnishing for obvioius reasons. All of my paperwork is turned in and I call the VA and DFAS every day for an update and i'm constantly being told I have to wait three months and that's been three months ago.
I have life theatening illnesses that should be watched over constantly especially my pacemaker that's in my heart, my thyroid pills that I have been taking every day for 40 years, my sciatica pain that comes and goes without warning. I also have arthritis in both hands that is unpredictable also.
ins am suffering financially, physically, mentally grieving and missing my husband. Bartley has been the sole financial provider for the family. I am humbly asking any and everyone for donationns until my finances become stable. No widow should endure this suffering, I want to live and I'm praying that through Jesus Christ that God can hear my plea and see my suffering.
My husband and I have always believed that we are here to help people and we do not hesitate to get involved whenever we see anyone in need; especially children and the elderly. I humbly ask for help that would be much appreciated, I shouldn't be having to go through this nightmare, but I'm trying to hang in there. I live in the country and I am surrounded by farmland and cows. It takes more than 30 minutes to get into town, I am blessed that I have a 26 year old son who has been preparing meals and sometimes forcing me to eat and making sure I take my medicine.
We would appreciate any donations while my finances stabilize.
Thank you,
and may God bless you and your family