Local vet's grateful to Project Help

U.S. Army veteran Carmine Costello loved his family but was having a hard time suppressing suicidal thoughts. That's when a fellow vet recommended that he call the Executive Director of Project Help, Sandy Mitchell.

“She kept telling me this was a temporary situation and that I was going to pull myself out of it," Costello said. "It took a number of conversations, but once I was able to believe in her, things started to change”.

Costello's uncle was a Green Beret, and Costello followed his uncle's path to the military began in high school. But he'd also learned finance from his dad.

“In high school I was known as the wrestler that walked around with the Wall Street Journal under my arm - I read it every day,” he said.

After graduation he joined US Army Reserves as a medic, serving one weekend per month and two weeks per year; while going to college and working an entry level job at a local brokerage firm. During his first annual two week tour of duty with the 3344th Army Hospital in Tampa Florida, he met (former) US Army Command Sergeant Major Richard Kidd and felt motivated to go into active duty. His first assignment was with the 10th Mountain Division Light Infantry, Fort Drum, NY as a Combat Medic. But a hereditary medical condition began took its toll on Carmine’s knees and back and he couldn't enroll again. Carmine was given the opportunity to become a veterinary care technician.

On Sept. 1, 2001 - ten days before the World Trade Center attack – Carmine began leadership training to earn his sergeant stripes at the US Army NCO Academy, in Missouri. He was promoted to sergeant and sent to Japan for the next 4 1/2 years, supporting US Air Force Security Forces while rotating military working dogs in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan. But another injury happened and he was Honorably Discharged.

“The last time I took off my military uniform felt like the worst day of my life. I really couldn’t see life as anything but a soldier, deep inside I didn’t want to live as a civilian.”

He was married and had a son, Vincent and daughter, Mataya - from a previous marriage, but didn't have a home, job, or degree. So he enrolled in Centenary College majoring in business management. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2013 with a 3.85 GPA. He got on his feet, but his salaried position was eliminated due to cut backs.

Adding to his stress his wife, Chiyoko, was going to school full time, working full time as a waitress at night, and she was pregnant.

That’s when Sandy and Project Help entered his life. In addition to emotional support and encouragement, Sandy offered immediate financial help in the form of gift cards for food and gas, asking only that when he could, he return the favor for another veteran in need.

But soon he found a job and was back on his feet again, thanks to Project Help.

For information about Project Help, visit www.projecthelp.com.