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FIRST LADY
LAURA BUSH VISITS MIDWAY ATOLL
First Lady Laura Bush visited Midway Atoll on Thursday, March
1, 2007 as part of a tour recognizing the new 140,000 square
mile Marine National Monument covering the northwest Hawaiian
Islands. This area was designated as such in 2006 by President
Bush. The Marine National Monument includes the Midway Atoll
National Memorial which the International Midway Memorial
Foundation (IMMF) encouraged Congress to pass, following which
the bill was signed into law by President Clinton in November 1999.
 Mrs Bush visited the Battle of Midway Memorial on the parade
grounds of Sand Island, bringing back my memories of when the
IMMF installed and dedicated the gray granite and black marble
memorial monument in 1995.
We all look forward to honoring the men who fought and died in
the Battle of Midway on June 4, 2007. Many of heroes of the battle
are no longer with us, but we will always remember them for
their singular bravery and skill in keeping our country safe
for democracy. For those living Midway veterans, we extend the
Foundation's deepest appreciation for the sacrifices you made,
and for the victory you scored at Midway in June, 1942.
UPDATES ON THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY 65TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE
EVENTS IN HAWAII:
- The Foundation has contacted U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander-in-Chief,
Admiral Gary Roughhead, USN and received the Navy's full support
and assistance for the IMMF's events commemorating the 65th
anniversary of the Battle of Midway.
- The Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet has been invited
to be the guest speaker at the Annual Midway Night Dinner to
be held on June3, 2007 at the Halekulani Hotel.
- Senator Daniel K. Inouye has been invited to be the guest
speaker for the commemorative ceremony to be held on the USS
Battleship Missouri Memorial on June 2, 2007.
- A new painting depicting the Battle of Midway has been
authorized by the IMMF. Steve Dryden, a Bradenton-area local
artist with great talent, is completing the work as this
newsletter goes to publication. The title of the new painting
is: "The Battle for Midway Island." The painting will be
commissioned aboard the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial on
June 2, 2007. Prints will be made available for those who have
an interest in purchasing them.
- The Navy League in Hawaii has offered its assistance in
promoting the IMMF's events commemorating the 65th anniversary
of the Battle of Midway.
Allen F. Lloyd, historian for the Navy League in Hawaii
has accepted the IMMF's invitation to be on the Battle of
Midway Symposium panel. The Foundation has also extended
invitations to Daniel A. Martinez, National Park Historian
at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Robert B. Stennett, author of
"Day of Deceit", Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully, authors
of "Shattered Sword" and Admiral Paul E. Tobin, USN (Ret.),
Director of the Naval Historical Center.
- The Public Affairs Office for U.S. Pacific Fleet Command
has extended their full support in assisting the Foundation
in all of its commemorative events of May 30-June 3, 2007.
- Military Historic Tours has formed an association with the
IMMF and its members will be offered the opportunity to attend
our commemorative ceremonies.
***A deposit of $200 for each person is required to attend the
commemorative events in Hawaii and this amount should be sent
to Bob Folliard at the address stated at the end of this newsletter.
Any questions should be directed to Mr. Folliard at (301) 437-6015.***
***UPDATE ON THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS ON MIDWAY ATOLL:
Military Historic Tours (MHT) has secured a 737 Continental aircraft
for transportation from Honolulu Airport to Midway Island. The
cost for the round trip airfare is $1150 per person. However,
for members of the IMMF, the roundtrip cost will be $950 per
person. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is planning to cover
the cost of the airfare for Midway veterans. This plan does not
include their wives. Those Foundation members who are planning
to travel to Midway should contact Robert Folliard (see contact
information provided at the end of this newsletter). In addition,
a Princess Cruise liner will be leaving Los Angeles and arriving
at Midway with 1500 passengers on June 4, 2007.
The actual Battle of Midway commemorative ceremony is scheduled
from 12:30pm to 2p.m. The Continental flight will arrive at about
11:30a.m and leave at about 7:00pm to return to Honolulu. After the
ceremony the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will offer walking
tours from 2:15 to 4:30pm.
THE DOCUMENTARY FILM "AGAINST ALL ODDS":
After June 4, 2007, and having finalized the commemorative events
for the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, the Foundation
will again embark on projects to obtain funds for the completion
of its documentary film "Against All Odds". I have contacted
our former film company president and he now conveniently lives
in Tampa, FL only 40 miles from me. He has again agreed to help
us produce this film. Stay tuned!
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
Chris and I wish everyone a Happy Easter and we look forward to
seeing everyone who is attending the commemorative events of the
65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.
EDITORIAL STAFF:
JAMES M. D'ANGELO
M. CHRISTINE SIMS
TELEPHONE: (240) 460-0041
ADDRESS:
IMMF
P.O. BOX 126
1767 LAKEWOOD RANCH BLVD.
BRADENTON, FL 34211
WEB PAGE:WWW.IMMF-MIDWAY.COM
E-MAIL:
IMMF42@AOL.COM
TRAVEL AGENT:
ROBERT FOLLIARD
P.O. BOX 135
BETHANY BEACH, DE 19930
CELL PHONE: (301) 437-6015
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