BEAVERTON, Ore. — Tucked away on a Beaverton side street lives Ira Schab, who is celebrating his 104th birthday on July Fourth.
"It's been pretty good," Schab said of his life. "I can't complain."
For eight years, Schab served in the Navy.
"He was a sousaphone tubist," his daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, said.
During his service, Schab was stationed in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. During the attack, Schab loaded ammunition to fire back at the Japanese planes.
"I don't know how to describe the actual emotional feeling," Schab said of the attack. "Concerned, are they gonna get me next? You know, that type of thing."
After the attack, Schab didn't talk about the bombing for years.
"I think it was a real traumatic experience for many of the men who went through that," said Michele Ware, another of Schab's daughters.
Though decades later, on the 75th anniversary, Schab began to speak about the incident.
"I think it became more important for him to speak about what he had experienced," Ware said.
Since then, he's gone back to Pearl Harbor to commemorate lives lost, and hopes younger generations remember the sacrifice many gave.
"They should know everything they can about Pearl Harbor," Schab said.
Schab isn't the only one in his family born on July Fourth either. Ware and her twin, Michael, were also born on the Fourth. Michael died several years ago.
"It makes the birthday bittersweet," Ware said.
Still, both Ware and Schab appreciate celebrating their birthday, along with the United States.
"Proud of it," Schab said. "Proud of the fact I was born on the Fourth."
On Thursday morning, Schab's family held a surprise for the 104-year-old, forming a parade route through his neighborhood.