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"WHERE HAVE YOU GONE JOE DIMAGGIO?
OUR NATION TURNS ITS LONELY EYES TO YOU"
When "Mrs. Robinson" - a song written by Paul Simon - became a hit in the 1960's, Joe Dimaggio was initially offended
by the above lyrics. Jolting Joe was quick to point out to Simon and Garfunkel that he had not gone anywhere and was still in
New York. They responded to Joe by saying that the lyrics were symbolic in nature and that the words reflected a desire to
return to a time and a culture that existed when Dimaggio played baseball for the New York Yankees (1936-1951).
Today, that sentiment still applies. Case in point: The Midway Islands were designated a National Memorial by Congress
in 1999. To date, this designation has effectively been ignored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Congress, up
to this time, has been unwilling to take the USFWS to task on this issue. However, in Joe Dimaggio's time this would never be
the case.
For those were the days when public outcry and Congress would never permit this sacrilege to take place. These islands,
though remote, are the place where American blood and bravery led to the turning point in the war in the Pacific. But then again,
those were the days when our values were different; the World War II generation remembers baseball when it was a game.
MIDWAY NATIONAL MEMORIAL UPDATE:
- The current situation regarding Midway has not changed since the last newsletter. The historic structures continue to
be subject to the forces of nature. This neglect includes the non-treatment of the termites that infest these buildings, causing their
gradual destruction.
- The Foundation has received a letter from Senator George Allen (VA) which states that although he did not sign on to S.1574
as an original co-sponsor, he would support the bill should this legislation come before him for a vote. The Senator remains hopeful
that the bill will be voted out of Committee and passed by the Senate in the coming year.
- In the meantime, the USFWS has contracted with Environmental Communications Pandion Systems to initiate a study to
determine a market and feasibility analysis for a potential Midway Atoll visitors' plan for the years 2005-2009. Results will follow
when the study is completed.
***OF INTEREST IS THE FACT THAT ON OCTOBER 30, 2004 THE UPI REPORTED IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES THAT
THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO CLOSE THE MIDWAY ISLANDS AIRPORT***
USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL DONATES 2004 USS ARIZONA FLAG TO THE IMMF:
It is a great honor for the Foundation to be the caretaker of USS Arizona flag that flew over this great warship in 2004. With
this sacred flag comes the memories and symbolism of all those brave men who lived and died on the battleship on that fateful
day December 7, 1941.
CDR TOM F. CHEEK, USN (RET.) LEAVES US:
Since the last issue of the Midway Sentinel, another great hero of the Battle of Midway has left his family and us. Tom had the
distinction of serving his country in both the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway. On December 1, 1941, just six days before the
attack on Pearl Harbor, CDR Cheek served as a fighter pilot on board the USS Lexington. On April 18, 1942, he flew combat air patrol
aboard the USS Enterprise after the B-25 Mitchell bombers had taken off from the USS Hornet and were heading toward Tokyo. Two
months later on June 4, 1942, and flying from the USS Yorktown, Tom flew cover for that carrier's torpedo bombers as they headed
into action against the Japanese carrier force northeast of Midway. Deluged by Japanese Zeros, he broke off his coverage of the TBDs
and warded off and attacked a number of these far superior fighter aircraft before returning back to the U.S. fleet.
Tom was a great supporter of the Midway Foundation and its causes. I will sincerely miss Tom, and will be forever grateful for what
he did for this country. He has joined others above in Midway's band of brothers.
***DR. WILLIAM DUDLEY retired in October as Director of the Naval Historical Center. Bill was one of our staunchest and
best allies. He will be sorely missed!!!***
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE FROM CHRIS AND ME.
EDITORIAL STAFF:
JAMES M. D'ANGELO
M. CHRISTINE SIMS
DAVID C. MACENANY
IMMF
5530 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1147
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(240) 497-1942
Website: www.immf-midway.com
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