The headline of this article should make you saw, “Aww” first and, “Wait, what and WHY?” next. Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old Army veteran, had to make his way back to the workforce after General Motors reportedly took his pension away following the company’s bankruptcy filing. But thanks to a stranger’s viral video and the public’s generosity, the opportunity to retire is finally within reach.
Who Is Ed Bambas and What Is His Story?
A Facebook content creator by the name of Samuel Weidenhofer recorded a viral video of Bambas, who was working in a Meijer store in Detroit during the recording. Bambas told Weidenhofer that he served in the Army in 1966 and ultimately retired from General Motors in 1999. After GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009, the ripple effect caused the automaker to reportedly revoke Bambas’ pension, health insurance, and all but $10,000 of his life insurance … all while he wife was sick. To make ends meet, Bambas said he sold his home and property so he and his wife could get by.
In the video, Bambas became emotional, explaining that when his wife passed away seven years ago, he had to start working at Meijer because he didn’t have enough income otherwise. So, if you saw sweet Ed in his Meijer uniform and assumed he was working as a greeter just for something to do, you’re dead wrong. Instead, Bambas told Weidenhofer that he worked five days a week, eight hours a day. Not trying to fire any shots, but I can think of people I know personally who are too lazy to work full-time, and a man pushing 90 had to do that out of necessity.
What Did the Internet Say and Do?
The internet can be a dark, disheartening place full of keyboard warriors, hate speech, and everything in between. But every so often, it shows how powerfully positive it can be. Everyone rallied behind Bambas (and called out how undeniably ridiculous it is that an Army veteran who rightfully retired from his job with a pension would be in this situation).
The original video included a link to a GoFundMe to help Ed retire once and for all. As of this article’s publication, the donated funds have surpassed $1.7 million. For his part, Ed says he just hopes to “live some of the life he was hoping for.” Alright, I’ve got to go grab a tissue now.
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