Glen Backstrom's Final Expenses

Hi. My name is John Burleson and I need your help. My best friend, Glen Carl Backstrom, passed away at the Salt Lake City VA hospital on the morning of Thursday, June 23, 2016. He’d been disabled for several years after losing a lung to Agent Orange. We were best friends since the early ‘60’s. We were in band together, a few plays together and even enlisted in the Army together. We swore to each other that if either one of us couldn’t take care of things, the other would help. That’s why I moved him in with us in 2011. I think his being here gave him a couple years he wouldn’t have had.

Glen was an avid reader, musician and computer geek. But being disabled for so long and on a very limited income, he couldn’t afford things like insurance. He once mentioned his final wishes were to be buried by either the VFW or the VA as he has no family left. But neither organization seems willing to help.

He wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread in an apple orchard that has been in his family for generations. It’s where his parents, aunt and grandparents rest. But the only available course of action calls for the government to be involved and the process could take as long as four months. The funeral home needs $925 for the cremation and shipping his remains to Wisconsin for final dispersal. If I was still working I wouldn't need the help, but I've been on medical disability for a work-related injury for the last three years and the bank account is pretty bleak, right now. Your help will be appreciated beyond words. Please contribute today.

Thank you,
John Burleson