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IMMF TO
COMMEMORATE THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY ON
MIDWAY ATOLL ON JUNE 4, 2007 IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE U.S.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND THE U.S. NAVY
On Friday, March 24, 2006, Vice Admiral William Houser,
USN (Ret.) and Rear Admiral Whitey Feightner, USN (Ret.),
Captain James Noone, USNR (Ret.), Esq and myself met with
Randal Bowman, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary
of Fish and Wildlife.
Judge Manson had retired recently from his position as
Assistant Secretary for the Fish and Wildlife Service and a
replacement was pending. In the meantime, Randal Bowman was
pleased to meet with us regarding holding the commemoration
of the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway on Midway
Atoll.
The International Midway Memorial Foundation (IMMF) learned
that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) would hold a
major event on Midway Atoll to commemorate the 65th
anniversary of the Battle of Midway. That event would include
the participation of the IMMF and its members. The USFWS had
also expressed a desire to mend the recent frayed relationship
between that Service and the Foundation. The IMMF expressed
its willingness to do the same.
We inquired if a sign—similar to the one on Midway
that recognizes the Atoll as a National Wildlife Refuge—was
in place for the National Memorial designation. We learned
that Judge Manson had ordered one before his retirement.
However, we later learned that the sign was not yet in place
but that the FWS had plans to erect one sign which included
both designations. We proposed that if the designation sign
could not be funded by the USFWS, the Foundation would be
pleased to donate a sign as part of the 2007 ceremony on
Midway Atoll. ***See attached
letter***
IMMF TO HOST A WEEK OF EVENTS IN HAWAII TO COMMEMORATE
THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY:
Between May 30 and June 5, 2007, the Foundation will
host a series of events commemorating the 65th anniversary
of the Battle of Midway.
To begin the week there will be a cocktail reception on
the Hau Terrace of the Halekulani Hotel on the night of May
30 to welcome its members.
***The Halekulani Hotel will be the main headquarters of
the Foundation for the week.***
On May 31 and June 1, the Foundation will host a two-day
symposium on the Battle of Midway at the Halekulani Hotel.
On June 2 the scene will move to the decks of the USS
Missouri where a guest speaker will present the historical
significance of the Battle of Midway and a special ceremony
will be held for those who fought and died in this historical
Battle, including a flyover by the U.S. Navy.
On the night of June 3, the Foundation will host its
Seventh Annual Midway Night Dinner on the Hau Terrace of the
Halekulani Hotel. The dress will be black tie/summer mess.
This event will conclude the series of events on Oahu and
will be dedicated to honoring and presenting a "farewell to
arms" to the "Men of Midway."
One of the highlights of the week will be a very special
Battle of Midway Commemorative Ceremony on Midway Atoll.
For many Midway veterans, this will be their final farewell
to a place where, 65 years ago, their stand changed the
course of human history.
After the Ceremony, there is a hope that an overnight stay
may be possible. I will let you know if this stay becomes a
reality. Otherwise, we will return to Oahu on the same day
for a final farewell to all the Midway veterans and their
families.
DIRECT ALL INQUIRES FOR THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
BATTLE OF MIDWAY TRIP TO:
Bob Folliard
P.O. Box 135
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Phone: (302) 539-6645
Fax: (302) 539-6645
MAJOR J. DOUGLAS ROLLOW, JR., USMCR, ACTIVE MEMBER OF
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE IMMF DIES:
On Sunday, April 9, 2006, Douglas Rollow passed away.
We send our condolences to his wife, Mary, and to his family
and friends.
With his death, the nation has lost a great American. When
duty called, Doug was there in early 1942, patching his old
SB2U-3s with hospital tape on Midway Island in March of that
year. Just prior to the battle, 16 SBD-2s arrived on Midway
and 2nd LT. Douglas Rollow was able to pilot one of the dive
bombers in search of the Japanese Fleet. He was in Squadron
VMSB-241 and under the leadership of Major Lofton R.
Henderson.
In the early morning hours of June 4, 1942, a variety of
land-based planes left Midway Atoll to attack the Japanese
carriers. Squadron VMSB-241 was among them. The 16 SBD-2s
headed northwest to find the Japanese Naval task Force without
fighter escort. The squadron reached the Japanese fleet at
0800 that morning just moments after the B-17s from Midway
had released their bomb loads. Up to this point, none of the
American planes from Midway had successfully landed a direct
hit on any Japanese carrier. The closest hit came when Doug
Rollow dove down out of the clouds only to sustain a near-miss
on the Japanese carrier HIRYU.
Lt. Rollow was one of the eight SBD-2 planes that
successfully returned to Midway. For his bravery and courage
Doug was awarded the Navy Cross by then-Secretary of the
Navy Frank Knox in December 1942.
Doug Rollow was one of my closest Midway veteran friends.
He was instrumental in the early success of the International
Midway Memorial Foundation. He was a member of the Board of
Directors and later the Active Board of Trustees. His love
for his country and the men of Midway was always foremost in
his heart and an important part of his life.
I will always miss Doug, but I know that his being the last
living member of VMSB-241, he is now very happy rejoining all
of his comrades from that heroic squadron VMSB-241. God bless
you Doug.
<<<>>>
Update: Penne Trattoria will open for business by June 20,
2006. We are finally close to completion and ready for a
series of four inspections. We are hearing a buzz of excitement
from people living in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas.
Chris and I wish everyone a healthy summer. Stay tuned
and don't touch that dial!!
NEW ADDRESS FOR THE IMMF:
IMMF
1767 LAKEWOOD RANCH BLVD
NUMBER 126
BRADENTON, FL 34211-4906
EDITORIAL STAFF:
JAMES M. D'ANGELO
M. CHRISTINE SIMS
Phone:
240-460-0041
Web page: www.immf-midway.com
E-mail: IMMF42@aol.com
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