101-year-old Ira "Ike" Schab, was a U.S. Navy musician, assigned to the destroyer USS Dobbin on the morning of December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
Today, on the 80th anniversary of the attacks, Schab is heading back to the memorial for the first time since that's infamous day thanks to an incredible crowdfunding effort organized by his daughter.
Schab was just 21 years old when the attacks occurred, telling Hawaii News Now that he was planning to meet his brother when the Japanese planes began to attack.
Schab said, "It's hard what to say the feeling that runs through your mind. You're scared. You don't know what's going to happen next. When I realized we were under attack I got busy doing what I was told, passing ammunition and getting that sort of stuff done."
Schab wanted to make the journey to Hawaii back, but his health requires two caregivers, and his family couldn't afford the airfare and lodging. So they turned to GoFundMe and the donations poured in.
Thanks to the generosity of strangers, Schab will be one of 40 Pearl Harbor survivors at the ceremony at Kilo Pier. He says, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. It was very generous and unexpected and very kind, and I am forever grateful."
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