Bill Eades’ daughter Tracye has passed. Here is the link to Stanfill Funeral Home on US just south of Dadeland Mall www.StanfillFH.com. Viewing Thursday evening 7-9. There is also an option to attend the viewing online.
Please join us as we meet on Saturday January 10, 2026 at 11:30am at Dave & Busters in the Dolphin Mall, 11481 NW 12th St, Miami, FL 33172.
To my fellow members of the US Army Special Forces Association, Chapter 76,
As the year draws to a close and the Christmas season descends upon us, I want to extend my deepest personal wishes for a peaceful, hopeful, and meaningful holiday to you and your families.
This time of year naturally calls us to look around, count our blessings, and remember those we hold dear. For us, that means acknowledging the profound, unbreakable bond that unites every man who has worn the Green Beret. Our Brotherhood is not just a word; it is the foundation of our existence, the "Team After the Team." It is what makes this Chapter a constant source of strength, even when the world outside feels challenging.
This year, as always, has brought both triumphs and significant difficulties. We know that some among us are battling serious health challenges, facing treatments, and enduring long recoveries. Know that your brothers here at Chapter 76 are thinking of you, sending strength and prayers, and are ready to stand by you. You are never alone in that fight.
Furthermore, we must pause and remember the terrible losses some of our own have experienced this year. To those facing profound grief—whether from the loss of a loved one, a comrade, or a family member—we see your burden. We share your sorrow. May the spirit of this season bring a moment of comfort and peace to your hearts. Their memory remains sacred to us all.
This brotherhood means we shoulder one another's burdens and celebrate each other’s victories. This holiday, let’s make a focused effort to reach out, pick up the phone, send the text or email, or stop by for a cup of coffee with a brother you haven’t connected with recently. It is the small gestures of connection that define us.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with good health, prosperity, and our enduring spirit.
Bambas, an 88-year-old Army veteran, had worked hard most of his life, and after becoming financially secure, retired in 1999 after 40 years at General Motors. But when GM went bankrupt in 2009, Bambas decided to take a $300,000 lump sum offer from the auto giant, instead of receiving a pension.
“Mr. Bambas’ personal story is deeply moving, and it’s wonderful to see the outpouring of support for him. We are grateful for what he has contributed to GM and to our country," GM said in a statement. "While we don't share details about individuals, in 2012 salaried GM retirees who were receiving monthly pension payments were given several options, including continuation of monthly lifetime payments or a lump sum payout, if they preferred. Additionally, starting in 2008, retirees older than 65 receive a $300 monthly lifetime payment for supplemental Medicare coverage."
To add more stress, his wife became ill, medical bills piled up, and the couple had to sell off most of their assets to make ends meet. The family drained any savings it had from the GM retirement payout. After Bambas’ wife died seven years ago, he eventually went back to work, logging eight-hour shifts, five days a week at a Meijer grocery store in Michigan just to pay the bills.
Bambas’ plight grabbed the attention of Samuel Weidenhofer, an Australian influencer with a large TikTok following of more than 7.6 million followers. Weidenhofer seeks out folks who are struggling, interviews them, and posts the conversations on social media, hoping they’ll get help from the generosity of others.
After Weidenhofer had posted that he was in Detroit and he was looking for someone to help, he received a comment on Facebook about an 88-year-old veteran working 40 hours a week at a grocery store.
Samuel Weidenhofer tries to help people through his TikTok videos. (Photo from Instagram)
“I knew nothing about him,” Weidenhofer told NBC News.
He found Bambas manning his shift at a store in Brighton. He walked up to the veteran and asked if he could talk about his story.
“So, you've been struggling a bit?” Weidenhofer asked. “Ah, a little bit,” Bambas said.
The video of a teary-eyed Bambas went viral. Weidenhofer set up a GoFundMe Campaign asking the public for help. Boy, did it ever. As of Friday afternoon, the fund has generated more than $1.7 million from nearly 62 thousand donors. One donor, Ryan Bartlett, has pledged $10,000.
Michael Bambas, Ed’s son, told NBC News his dad has no idea how much money has been raised. Weidenhofer was planning to present the money to him on Friday.
“My dad has no idea how much is in the fund. He doesn’t do the internet or any of that stuff, so he has no idea how much is in there or anything else,” Michael Bambas said. “He knows there’s a GoFundMe page, but that’s all he knows.”
Financial Struggle
“The thing that hurt me the most was when my wife was really sick, and when they took the pension, they also took the health care coverage and all but $10,000 of my life insurance,” Bambas explained, through tears. “So, I sold my house, sold the property I had, we made it through.”
Bambas had to find a way to get back on track after his wife died, so he started working again.
“I don’t have enough income,” he said in the video.
Weidenhofer asked Bambas if he could share his touching story online. Perhaps the kindness of strangers could help him enjoy retirement. The veteran began to cry.
Story Goes Viral
After Weidenhofer posted the story on Monday and set up the GoFundMe campaign, Michael Bambas’ phone started lighting up. Text messages came flooding in from friends and family who had seen his dad’s video on social media.
“I saw my dad, and he was telling me about some guy that came into the store, started asking him questions, and then they wanted to do this little mini-interview, and the guy gave him a $400 tip,” he said. “That’s all we kind of knew about it, didn’t think much more of it.”
Michael Bambas got in touch with Weidenhofer, and the two have discussed how his dad will receive the monetary gift. He said while the past few days have been a whirlwind, he’s grateful his father’s story made an impact.
“I don’t know how to thank everybody for what they’re doing for my dad. It’s just amazing, words can’t describe,” Michael Bambas said.
After his wife died, Bambas found it difficult to function, his son said.
“Right after my mom passed away, I’d go over to the house, and I’d find him basically walking around in circles, not knowing what to do with himself because he took care of my mom for almost 10 years as her primary caretaker,” he said. “After she passed, he was pretty much lost as far as purpose and all of that.”
Ed Bambas, 88, has worked 40 hours a week at Meijer for the past five years. (Submitted photo)
‘Start Living’ Again
Bambas has been working at Meijer for the past five years.
“I try to help him when and where I can financially, but he accumulated a lot of debt due to medical bills and such,” his son said.
Representatives from Meijer said Bambas adds value to the store, bringing “joy and warmth” to customers. The viral video has also prompted the supermarket chain to step up for Bambas as well.
“We are providing Ed with no-cost financial planning assistance for life to help him make the most of these generous contributions and will continue to support him as a valued member of our team,” the store said in a statement.
Whether Bambas will keep working at Meijer after he receives the $1.7 million (and growing) is unknown, but his son believes the money will help him “start living and doing things for himself.”
The Special Forces Association (SFA) has developed a strategy for memorabilia and merchandise. We need a volunteer coordinator to help implement that strategy. The
strategy and volunteer position description are below. If you are interested in filling this position, reply to the Adjutant (Adjutant@sfanbo.org) indicating your interest.
SFA Retail Strategy
Partner with quality providers who will sell the merchandise/memorabilia directly to our members and then pay the SFA a commission. SFA will not maintain a store and will not directly offer products that we fulfill but will instead rely on partners for fulfillment.
SFA policy preference is “Made in America” for apparel and memorabilia.
Special Forces Association Retail Coordinator Position Description
The Special Forces Association (SFA) Retail Coordinator (RC) manages sales of SFA memorabilia and apparel.
The SFA sells memorabilia and apparel as a service to our members and to raise funds for the SFA general fund.
Our SFA authorized memorabilia and apparel is sold online. Each of our partners fulfills the merchandise and then remits a payment (commission) to the SFA.
SFA RC duties:
Implement the SFA retail strategy
Work with prospective partners to gain SFA board approval and authorization to sell SFA associated merchandise
Assist approved partners in listing their products on SFA websites (with assistance from the SFA technical team)
Maintain a list of approved items and a list of approved partners
Monitor sales and submit reports to the SFA board
Monitor listed items/partners to ensure currency and keep the items listed current
Assist & Coordinate with SFA Chapters in producing chapter specific memorabilia and merchandise
Act as retail Point of Contact to the SFA chapters
This is a volunteer coordinator position. The SFA RC will be supported by the SFA Adjutant and the SFA technical team. Functional oversight will be provided by the SFA Adjutant and the SFA Executive Director. Financial oversight will be provided by the SFA Treasurer.
Time requirements: Initially, this volunteer position will likely require a couple of days per week. On an ongoing basis, it will likely require a few hours per week.
Being successful in this volunteer position will require basic knowledge of the internet, the SFA Teamhouse, spreadsheets, documents, artwork, and email. Deep technical knowledge is not required. Some experience in online retail is also helpful, but not required.
Sadly I am writing to you about the passing of Carl J. Hickey, Jr. age 83 of Weston, Florida, passed away July 15, 2022. He was born in Huntington, West Virginia on October 14, 1938 to the late Carl and Ethel Hickey.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kiyoko Hickey; daughter, Dianne Lynne Ochs; son, Carl J. Hickey III and his wife Lisa; step-son, Alan Green and step-daughter, Helen Green and grandchildren: Jenni Hickey, Mark Hickey, Jack Ochs and Paul Ochs.
In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by his three brothers Noel (Berridge) Copen, David (Peggy) Copen and Joe (Betty) Hickey.
Carl graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1956, where he excelled at track, and Marshall University in 1961 where he continued to run track and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Following college, Carl was commissioned in the US Army and served honorably in various assignments as an infantry officer, and was a Master Parachutist with the Rangers and Co-C 3/20th Special Forces also the 11th SF Group.
Carl was a long time teacher and coach for Dade County schools and was selected the Dade County Teacher of the Year in 1971.
In addition to his love of coaching sports, Carl was a football and basketball referee in South Florida for 45 years.
Followed by Urn Committal Service on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 2:30 PM, with military honors being rendered by the US Army at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth, Florida 33449. Please meet his family in Lane #3 at the cemetery.
Lloyd Big John Harris will Add Carl J. Hickey to the 3/20th Special Forces Roll of Honor, if you have info. about other 3/20th SF brothers who have passed please contact Big John Harris at< montymoe@aol.com > or call
