Ira Schab, Jr., Navy Vet, Pearl Harbor Survivor gets a trip to Hawaii for Commemoration, courtesy strangers
Ira Schab was in the United States Navy onboard the USS Dobbin when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941.
His daughter Kimberlee gave him what seemed like an impossible journey as a gift:
That guy you see is my 101 year old father Ira Schab, Jr. he’s a Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor. You can call him “Ike” or “Pop”. This year is the 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Due to COVID-19 restrictions only one attendee can be present at the ceremonies & groups that take veterans have to limit vet caregivers. For the ceremony Pop could be situated with 1 attendee or caregiver but for the travel to & from Hawaii & his daily care, he really needs 2. The vet groups don’t have the funds to allow this.
Even though Pop is considered a ‘healthy advanced elderly’, at a 101, he requires round the clock attention for his mobility & daily care. His vision, hearing & memory aren’t what they were the first time he was at Pearl Harbor (please see pictures). I am a registered nurse, working part time so I can care for and spend time with my father. Coordinating his care and physically caring for my Pop is something that I am deeply privileged to be able to do. We need your help to get him to Hawaii for this momentous anniversary. Lacking organizations with bigger pockets, I can’t afford to get my Pop over there, this fundraiser will cover flights, hotel, car, food for Ike & 2 family caregivers to keep him safe & be honored at the Pearl Harbor Anniversary ceremonies.
UPDATE: We made our goal higher. We are going to take an additional caregiver (sharing rooms) and we are making some arrangements for accessibility friendly trips while on the island.
The additional caregiver means that no one is on 24/7. This will make things easier on all of us. Pop is actually very excited to share some of Hawaii with Vicky. Vicky is Pop’s regular VA caregiver when I’m at work. The additional amounts will pay for food and any admission fees for the additional caregiver.
I have also already replaced his broken transport wheelchair. We’ve been keeping Pop busy and well, both his 100th and his 101st were pandemic birthdays. We’ve done a couple of geeky scavenger hunts with GISH. Pop is an amazing sport and we head over to the Oregon coast a lot, and family gatherings – anything to keep a 101 year old engaged and happy and safe.
#Ike2Pearl80th
#IKE101
Yesterday by Kimberlee Heinrichs, OrganizerWe are here!! Follow our journey on Instagram or Twitter at Ike2pearl!