Rosa DeLauro Presents George Posener with Long Lost Pension

George Posener, 99, lives alone at the home he built himself several decades ago. Although he has 24-hour nurses aids by his side, he doesn’t have too many visitors, but on Thursday afternoon, his house was filled with reporters, cameramen and one very special guest; Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who delivered a long overdue government check.

DeLauro said George contacted her office a short time ago inquiring about a veterans benefit.

Her staff uncovered the following information:

“George was slated to be drafted into service during World War II, but due to his engineering skills was retained by the War Department as a civilian worker. He worked as an ordinance inspector, redesigning weapons, inspecting ballistic tests and transporting arms. He also helped convert a Thompson submachine gun into a better weapon through the use of a fixed firing pin.”

Further, her staff’s research revealed that he qualified for a civilian pension for the work he did during the war, and the government owed him $34,000 (retroactive to his 62nd birthday).

So, what will this nearly 100-year-old man do with a sudden $34,000 windfall?

It’s simple: He will give it away.

George, who will be 100 in December of this year, attended the Yale School of Ballistics. He lost his beloved wife Leah in 1987, and is a well-known philanthropist.

He is a man of simple means, but has given $1million to Yale School of Medicine and contributed to the Smilow Cancer Center, and other Yale facilities including the Sterling Memorial Library, Harkness Hall, and the Payne Whitney Gym.

Once, when he was being treated at Yale New Haven Hospital, a young doctor came into his room and told George that if it hadn’t been for his generosity, he couldn’t have afforded medical school.

The “Thank you,” was enough to let George know that he is on the right path.

 “I’m looking to improve what God has given to me,” he said.

 “He truly is a remarkable man.” DeLauro said. “He’s been very generous.”

After DeLauro’s presentation, George’s aid, Evelyn escorted her into a nearby room where several beautiful violins were neatly laid out on a bed. “He’s giving them away to children who want to learn to play but can’t afford to buy an instrument,” Evelyn said.

In this 100th year of his life, George likes to say that he already is 100 years old. His life has been rich in many ways and he doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.