While December is the hallmark of festivities and holiday cheer, it is also a month of commemoration for one of the United States' darkest days in its history: the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Ira “Ike” Schab, the last surviving sailor from the USS Dobbin and a U.S. Navy musician who was aboard the vessel the morning of the attack 83 years ago, helped his shipmates fight back by feeding ammunition into machine guns.
Schab was photographed with his son, also a Navy veteran, and the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Band and a U.S. Navy honor guard.
Last week, Hawaiian Airlines welcomed onboard the 104-year-old Schab and his family as they traveled to Honolulu from Portland to attend the annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day event and pay respects to his fellow shipmates and the more than 2,000 people who died in the attack. Crewmembers on Hawaiian’s Airbus A330 personally thanked Schab for his dedication and service to the United States and made in-flight announcements recognizing him.
Schab, photographed with the HA49 crew and his daughter, was welcomed warmly by crewmembers and guests onboard the flight.
HA49 arrived to a rare water cannon salute in honor one of Pearl Harborʻs last remaining survivors.
Upon arrival, John Kim, president of the Hawaiian Airlines Veteran Employee Network (HAVEN) employee group, greeted Schab and his family at their seats and escorted them to the gate. Waiting for him outside the jet bridge was the U.S. Navy honor guard and live music by the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band — the same ensemble he once played with as a tubist.
Schab’s presence drew a large crowd, with travelers pausing their journey to gather around and honor one of the country’s last remaining World War II heroes.
Kim escorted Schab off the aircraft and to the gate, where a crowd of servicemembers and civilians gathered to pay their respects.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band performed at the gate for Schab and his family.
“It was an honor to represent Hawaiian Airlines and our veteran employees in welcoming one of our nation’s oldest Pearl Harbor survivors, Ira ‘Ike’ Schab. For years, Ike didn't want to return to Hawaiʻi because the memories were too horrific for him to relive. Seeing Ike smile with others at the gate ceremony and on the aircraft is a true testament to his strength and resiliency,” Kim said.
“Ike’s attendance at the Pearl Harbor anniversary events is incredibly significant, and we are proud to have been his family’s carrier of choice in returning to Honolulu once again.”
On Saturday, as civilians and military communities around the country paused to observe the anniversary of the attack, thousands gathered in Waikīkī in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade to memorialize the events of Dec. 7, 1941, that catapulted the United States into World War II and changed the country – and Hawaiʻi – forever.
In another first for the combined company, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines veteran employee groups proudly walked side by side in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade, sharing their collective pride in honoring the military.
Kim, who helped bring the two groups together for the parade, added, “The coming together of HAVEN and Alaska’s Military, Veterans and Allies Business Resource Group (MVA BRG) feels refreshing and motivating to know we share the same North Star of creating a sense of community and belonging among our veteran employees.”
