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Pearl Harbor: 101-year-old survivor Ike Schb will be able to attend 80th memorial service thanks to daughter and kind strangers


Ike Schab, 101, told CNN he was on a ship docked when the attack happened in 1941.

“I don’t remember seeing the Arizona get hit, but I do remember being at the bow of our ship and a tall tower on fire and debris falling from the ship,” Schab said. “It’s getting harder and harder to remember these things, but I remember trying not to get killed in the war. Like most people.”

His daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, told CNN she knew her father needed attend the event on December 7, after his social life was severely restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But after a year of tough layoffs and financial struggles, getting him there with the care he needed seemed unattainable.

Schab needed two carers for the trip to Hawaii, but the veterans organization could only afford one.

On Pearl Harbor Day, no survivors or witnesses attended the ceremony

“So I was working part-time, didn’t have the money, and then the organization that might have taken him away was unable to meet the need for two carers. Finally I went, let’s finish. doing this in a way that is in his best interest,” said Heinrichs.

To raise money to get a second carer – Heinrichs turned to GoFundMe. After about a week, she surpassed her goal of $5,000 and then some. Schab will now have three carers to allow Heinrichs and her husband some time off.

“The idea that complete strangers donate money even beyond what is needed made me cry. Everyone did something kind when it seemed to be lacking,” she said.

Both said they were grateful for the generosity of others and the opportunity to have Schab in person. On Sunday, he will conduct the band PACFLEET at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Schab has attended the ceremony a few times in his life and said each time has brought him a sense of surprise.

“I like that when I go there there are reminders of people and things from a long time ago. People I miss. It brings back memories,” he said.

Heinrichs admits this may be the last time her father attends the ceremony, and begs this generation to get to know some of the veterans.

“But they really have a lot to offer people and they need to ask questions and let them tell their stories. Especially this generation. We’re losing them all too often.” she said. “They have a lot to offer. Give them time.”

Last year was the first year that no survivors or eyewitnesses attended the ceremony, due to the pandemic. According to tMr. United States Department of Veterans Affairs, only 240,329 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive in 2021.

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