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THE INTERNATIONAL
MIDWAY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY
OF ITS EXISTENCE
It is hard to believe but it is 15 years since a small band
of concerned citizens initiated the creation of a non-profit,
tax-exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of
the memory of the Battle of Midway. Its name was called
the International Midway Memorial Foundation (IMMF). The
year was 1992. The Association of Naval Aviation of the
Anacostia/Washington Chapter had just sponsored an excellent
week of a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary
of the Battle of Midway. It was quite apparent that there
was a general lack of appreciation of the significance of
the Battle of Midway in the country. It was to this end
that the IMMF was formed and its mission was to address
and remedy this iniquity.
In its tenure, the IMMF developed a quarterly newsletter; a
Battle of Midway web page, voted number one by Yahoo;
traveled to Pearl Harbor, Midway and Japan to obtain
documentary film for the production of "Against All Odds;"
formalized the black tie Annual Battle of Midway Night
Dinner in Washington, D.C. and later through out the country;
succeeded in encouraging Congress to pass legislation that
designated the Midway Atoll a National Memorial; created,
designed and dedicated Battle of Midway Memorial Monuments
on Midway Atoll and on the grounds of the U.S. Naval
Academy; succeeded in encouraging the U.S. Navy into
inculcating the Battle of Midway into its culture; produced
the promotional documentary film "Against All Odds;" created
the National Midway Atoll Memorial Flag; held commemorative
ceremonies events in remembrance of the Battle of Midway in
Hawaii and on Midway Atoll; strongly supported and assisted
the Department of Interior in developing a visitor's program
for Midway Atoll; and commissioned a British artist to paint
a new battle scene of the Battle of Midway entitled "The
Battle for Midway Atoll."
Missions yet to be accomplished are:
- A successful Visitor's Program for Midway Atoll
- Preservation and restoration of the historic sites on Midway Atoll
- The completion of the full length documentary film "Against All Odds"
- Education and realization by the American public of the
true significance of the Battle of Midway and the role
it played in winning World War II
During this fifteen period of time the following Battle of
Midway heroes who were members of the Foundation have been
rewarded by entering the gates of Heaven:
Master Sgt. Floyd T. Bacon, USN - USS Nautilus; Lt. Richard
H. Best, USN - USS Enterprise (CV-6); CDR. Thomas F. Check,
USN - USS Yorktown (CV-5); CDR. Wilhelm G. Esders, USN -
USS Yorktown (CV-5); Lt. George Gay, USN - USS Hornet (CV-8);
Captain Scott S. McCuskey, USN - USS Yorktown (CV-5);
Captain Jack H. Reid, USN - VP-44; Major J. Douglas Rollow,
Jr., USMC - VMSB-241; Carroll G. Stark, USN; AD1 William
Surgi, Jr., USN - USS Yorktown (CV-5).
Special mention should also be given to the passing away
of another member of the Foundation: author, Walter Lord.
His ground breaking book entitled: "Incredible Victory"
brought for the first time the Battle of Midway into the
awareness of the American public.
IMMF TO HONOR VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM D. HOUSER, USN (RET.):
In June 2008, the Foundation plans to honor Admiral William
D. Houser, USN (Ret.), a member of the Honorary Board of
Trustees at a special dinner in Washington, D.C.
Formalization of the program is presently being developed
and details will in follow in the next issue of the newsletter.
EDITORIAL STAFF:
JAMES M. D'ANGELO
M. CHRISTINE SIMS
ADDRESS:
IMMF
BOX 126
1767 LAKEWOOD RANCH BLVD
BRADENTON, FL 34211
TELEPHONE: (240) 460-0041
WEB PAGE:WWW.IMMF-MIDWAY.COM
E-MAIL:
IMMF42@AOL.COM
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