HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A 104-year-old distinguished war veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor is back in Hawaii.

Ira “Ike” Schab Jr. of Portland landed in Honolulu Tuesday ahead of the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is one of the few remaining survivors from that day and the only one left from the USS Dobbin.

His flight was greeted with water cannons, and sounds from the Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet Band filled the air at the gate.

“What do you remember from that day?” he was asked.

“Oh, I’m more scared than anything,” he replied. “I wonder about my brothers. Where they were.”

As a musician in the naval band, Schab was beginning a seemingly quiet day when the attack began in 1941. He quickly went into action and supplied the gunners with ammunition.

All these years later, he is back on the islands to commemorate the solemn anniversary and the lives of those who died.

“I am one of the few left – and they deserve to be recognized and honored,” he added.

For many years, Ike’s family said he did not want to return to the islands because the memories of the attack were simply too painful.

“It was an embarrassment for a long time,” Ike said of the attack. His son Karl Schab added: “It was kind of a shock to the United States at the time that we were attacked, and so the embarrassment was real.” And then when I was stationed here, I said, “Hey dad, come out and “He said, ‘No, I really don’t want to go through that again.'”

But a few years ago, during the 75th anniversary, he changed his mind when he saw how few survivors remained.

“He said, ‘As long as I can make the trip, I want to make the trip for the people who can’t make the trip,'” Karl said.

He has returned to Pearl Harbor every year since. This year, 14 of his family members and caregivers are joining him from Portland.

“It’s a real chicken skin moment. It’s tear-jerking, it’s so special and meaningful to be a part of,” said John Kim, president of the Hawaiian Airlines Veterans Employee Network.

“It is important for us Americans to recognize service members like Ike because they helped shape the foundation of our country and give us freedom,” Kim added.

The cost of bringing him to the islands and ensuring round-the-clock care is available is high, and family members have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for various expenses. More than $4,300 has already been raised.

As Ike reflects on the past, his service is celebrated and the memory of his fellow sailors lives on.

“How would you like your legacy to be remembered?” he was asked. “That I remembered her. “This is a second home,” he said.

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