Help Pop Return to Pearl Harbor
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Kimberlee and I am raising funds for my father, Pearl Harbor Survivor Ira J ‘Ike’ Schab, Jr. to return to Hawaii for the December 7th Commemoration.
Ike, also known as ‘Pop’ to multiple generations, turned 104 this year and wants to continue to attend the Pearl Harbor Commemorations for as long as he's able, as he has for the last several years. Every year there are fewer and fewer WWII vets, and especially Pearl Harbor Survivors to attend. Pop wants to go for those who cannot any longer, and for those who never left. We’ve promised that if he is able, we will make sure he gets there.
On the morning of the attacks, Pop was aboard the USS Dobbin. He had just finished his shower, dressed in his whites, and sat down for his coffee, and was waiting for his younger brother, Allen Schab, who was only on the island for a week before December 7. Allen was only 18, and Ike was planning to take him out and show him around. Two young brothers exploring Honolulu. They never got to meet up that day, as the attack began moments after he sat down with his coffee.
At 104, Pop requires additional assistance with transferring, dressing, and hygiene and we needed to increase to four caregivers for this trip. Last year I had an injury that prevented me from being more involved in his physical care. I'm not only his daughter, I’m an RN. With time, we've learned teams of two are best in travel care to keep Pop safe for his adventure and no one has to work 24/7.
Given some delays and setbacks in my recovery after surgery, we need some financial assistance for Ike’s Pearl Harbor trip. No surprise, as Hawaii is expensive. We need to afford airfare, lodging, transport and meals, for Pop, myself and my husband, one of his other daughters, who is also a veteran, and the four caregivers. We are fortunate that we are able to stay at the centrally located military hotel Hale Koa which reduces our expenses (no resort fees or taxes as it is military installation). We hope to raise enough money to make the trip easy, to cover renting wheelchairs, scooters, but also create some fun, safe adventures for Ike’s “In Between Days” around the Remembrance. We have set our goal at $20,000. Which is a lot. It is a stretch. But the costs are high and there are a number of people we need to get around. Any assistance is appreciated.
For the 80th Commemoration we had a GoFundMe that went viral and far exceeded our goal. It not only enabled us to travel, covering those costs, when we got home we learned the our landlord did not want a temporary ramp (VA covered) and declined to renew or extend our lease. The leftover funds helped with moving costs and getting Pop a new lift recliner. It was a blessing at the right time.
So once again, I'm asking you if you can contribute to get Pop back to Hawaii for the 2024 Commemorations. This year he will be rendering honors at the Salute for the Fallen at the ceremony. He is honored to have been asked.
These trips have become very special for Pop and his entourage of caregivers and family but also for all the active military, veterans and staff that meet him at the Hale Koa and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Even on the streets of Honolulu he meets special folks and takes loads of pictures. Most folks haven't met a WWII vet, let alone a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Most haven't met a 104 year old for that matter.
It's a joyful thing for Pop to share history with people. Even a sad history. He feels that keeping the story of Pearl Harbor, and WWII alive is important as these memories fade.
The trips, GoFundMe, and associated publicity have brought us back into contact with everything from an old flame of Pop's, long lost cousins we haven't seen in years and had lost track of (Uncle Ted Schab was aboard the USS Franklin and was blown overboard in an attack), Pop's fraternity brothers (Delta Sigma Phi), and even with the town that somehow ended up with the mast to the USS Dobbin (!).
Ike wants to be interred at Pearl Harbor when he passes, but until that final trip, if he desires and is able with caregiver help, family, and community support, we want to get him to Hawaii. Please consider donating, and if you or your family are military, please leave a message through the app. Hearing family stories of WWII vets is a huge and wonderful bonus. We loved when folks shared their family and friends with us. Thank you so much for your donation.
Last year, family, caregivers and Pop
Ike, also known as ‘Pop’ to multiple generations, turned 104 this year and wants to continue to attend the Pearl Harbor Commemorations for as long as he's able, as he has for the last several years. Every year there are fewer and fewer WWII vets, and especially Pearl Harbor Survivors to attend. Pop wants to go for those who cannot any longer, and for those who never left. We’ve promised that if he is able, we will make sure he gets there.
On the morning of the attacks, Pop was aboard the USS Dobbin. He had just finished his shower, dressed in his whites, and sat down for his coffee, and was waiting for his younger brother, Allen Schab, who was only on the island for a week before December 7. Allen was only 18, and Ike was planning to take him out and show him around. Two young brothers exploring Honolulu. They never got to meet up that day, as the attack began moments after he sat down with his coffee.
At 104, Pop requires additional assistance with transferring, dressing, and hygiene and we needed to increase to four caregivers for this trip. Last year I had an injury that prevented me from being more involved in his physical care. I'm not only his daughter, I’m an RN. With time, we've learned teams of two are best in travel care to keep Pop safe for his adventure and no one has to work 24/7.
Given some delays and setbacks in my recovery after surgery, we need some financial assistance for Ike’s Pearl Harbor trip. No surprise, as Hawaii is expensive. We need to afford airfare, lodging, transport and meals, for Pop, myself and my husband, one of his other daughters, who is also a veteran, and the four caregivers. We are fortunate that we are able to stay at the centrally located military hotel Hale Koa which reduces our expenses (no resort fees or taxes as it is military installation). We hope to raise enough money to make the trip easy, to cover renting wheelchairs, scooters, but also create some fun, safe adventures for Ike’s “In Between Days” around the Remembrance. We have set our goal at $20,000. Which is a lot. It is a stretch. But the costs are high and there are a number of people we need to get around. Any assistance is appreciated.
For the 80th Commemoration we had a GoFundMe that went viral and far exceeded our goal. It not only enabled us to travel, covering those costs, when we got home we learned the our landlord did not want a temporary ramp (VA covered) and declined to renew or extend our lease. The leftover funds helped with moving costs and getting Pop a new lift recliner. It was a blessing at the right time.
So once again, I'm asking you if you can contribute to get Pop back to Hawaii for the 2024 Commemorations. This year he will be rendering honors at the Salute for the Fallen at the ceremony. He is honored to have been asked.
These trips have become very special for Pop and his entourage of caregivers and family but also for all the active military, veterans and staff that meet him at the Hale Koa and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Even on the streets of Honolulu he meets special folks and takes loads of pictures. Most folks haven't met a WWII vet, let alone a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Most haven't met a 104 year old for that matter.
It's a joyful thing for Pop to share history with people. Even a sad history. He feels that keeping the story of Pearl Harbor, and WWII alive is important as these memories fade.
The trips, GoFundMe, and associated publicity have brought us back into contact with everything from an old flame of Pop's, long lost cousins we haven't seen in years and had lost track of (Uncle Ted Schab was aboard the USS Franklin and was blown overboard in an attack), Pop's fraternity brothers (Delta Sigma Phi), and even with the town that somehow ended up with the mast to the USS Dobbin (!).
Ike wants to be interred at Pearl Harbor when he passes, but until that final trip, if he desires and is able with caregiver help, family, and community support, we want to get him to Hawaii. Please consider donating, and if you or your family are military, please leave a message through the app. Hearing family stories of WWII vets is a huge and wonderful bonus. We loved when folks shared their family and friends with us. Thank you so much for your donation.
Last year, family, caregivers and Pop
Organizer
Kimberlee Heinrichs
Organizer
Beaverton, OR