Ed Bambas is an 88-year-old U.S. Army veteran known for his resilience amid financial hardship. After retiring from General Motors in 1999, Bambas lost his pension and healthcare coverage when the company declared bankruptcy in 2012. Around the same time, his wife of over 50 years fell seriously ill, leading him to sell their home and property to cover medical expenses. His wife passed away seven years ago, and without a pension or sufficient income, Bambas returned to full-time work at a Meijer supermarket in Brighton, Michigan, where he has worked for about five years, despite his advanced age and a demanding 40-hour workweek. Bambas's story gained widespread attention after Australian influencer Samuel Wiedenhofer met him and shared a video online highlighting his struggles. The video quickly went viral, inspiring nearly $1.5 million in donations through a GoFundMe campaign. This financial support has allowed Bambas to finally consider retirement and live with greater dignity after decades of hardship. Bambas has expressed gratitude for the assistance, noting the profound impact of losing his pension and healthcare during his wife's illness and the challenges he faced working long hours late in life. His story serves as a poignant example of the challenges faced by aging veterans and workers affected by corporate bankruptcies and healthcare costs, as well as the power of social media to mobilize support for individuals in need. Key facts: - Army veteran and former General Motors worker, retired in 1999 - Lost pension and healthcare when GM went bankrupt in 2012 - Wife's illness and death led to financial hardship and selling of property - Worked full-time at Meijer supermarket for about five years post-retirement - Viral video in 2024 led to nearly $1.5 million raised to support his retirement[1][2][3][4].