Midway Island - A Battle Lost To U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service
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- Опубліковано 1 лис 2013
- A pictorial journey of historic Midway Island, showing the path the island has taken since the Navy left in 1996.
You'll see examples of how the island once paid its own way via a Visitor Program.
You'll see how this amazing place has changed since the closure of
the Visitor Program.
We offer photo examples of present day stewardship by The U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service, allowing photos to speak for themselves.
Mike, I worked on Midway in 1985 & '86 when you were there. I remember you making a film back then. ( I was in the beginning of it diving with a couple of the other guys). Midway is a special place and I hate what has been done to it. Thanks for making the videos of this historic little island. I still have the huge fish ball I found out there in "86. Al Handlan
As a military resident on Midway Islands for 367 days in 1979-1980, I couldn't stop crying watching how horrible this poor little island has been treated. I would give ANYTHING to be able to go back and help do whatever is necessary to make it like the beautiful island it was. It had so much history in those buildings. I really cried hard when I saw what had been done to the huge Gooney bird statue.
Lynne "blondy: Johnson
I was stationed there in 1968. It was run by the Navy then and I was a PR2 (air crew equipment and survivalman or parachute rigger). It beaks my heart as to how these groups have essentially ruined the island by thei rown mismanagement and need to destroy. Midway was almost like a prison for enlisted men who were not married back them, yet heaven for those who were. I had a secret security clearance and could walk the entire island, which most could not. We had two HU16D sea planes and two UH34D choppers for our SAR team back then. The island beaches were pristine white sand and could easily match anything in Hawaii. Rats were a problem though and you could always tell a newbie to the island by how they placed their feet at the theater. The old timers would always stick their feet up in the seat in front of them and the newbies would scream wildly as a rat ran across their feet on the floor. Goonies were not dying back then and we didn't have any motorized vehicles except for those tow trucks at the hangar and the Captain's car. Only means of true motivation was by use of bicycles, which we called horses. Many, many, many old memories of the place and I could go on forever as to the good and bad points of serving there in the Navy. Too bad is sucks so badly these days and the corruption or mismanagement of these agencies has rended it far worse than it ever was. Goonies are by far not the only birds on that island, but they are the certainly the most memorable and rightfully so. Sometimes our government really is bad for the environment and the people. This is a case in point.
i was there when you were. i want to go back to vist.. cant..booo
WOW !!! I lived on Midway back in 73-76....my father was stationed in Midway & my mother helped build that ICONIC statue ....had some great child-hood times growing up on that little rock... so sad to see this :(
michael maingot I lived on Midway from 53 56 and none of the pictures look like it did when I lived there I remember gunnery placements and the beach was cluttered with tanks and P T boats I was around 8 and I could walk out to the reef it was the best childhood the water was so beautiful unfortunately my parents house burned down and we lost all of our pictures. I was glad to find it on my iPad I am now 70 and the state the island is in its so sad. I am so sad.
My wife and I had a great visit there in 1998 thanks to MPC. It was an incredible experience.
And the US Govt wonders why its citizens hold them in such contempt. Anything they get their hands on goes to crap at a huge cost to taxpayers.
We were stationed at NAS Midway Island from 1970 to 1972. My husband ran the ACEY Ducey club and that little café . I worked at the Navy Exchange. I ran the large item sales. I did not want to leave the island! But my dad got ill and I had to leave right away. But my husband stayed a little longer. Our house was on the highest point of the island across from the old cemetery!! I would like to come back and visit again.
While in the USAF, we had to stop at Midway for refueling. We had maybe 2 hours total and I recall getting a ride from a golf cart and I just was amazed at the beach and just stayed there looking out into the Pacific for as long as I could stay. I always wanted to go back and try the fishing and now that I am older, appreciate the historical events that happened there with more reverence than when a younger man. I will still hope.
I'm 83 years old and still waiting for a successful Government program! I was stationed on Midway in the early 60's and am sickened with what I see.
Fraser - It's my understanding that the $160 million "Maintenance Backlog" has nothing to do with maintenance. Instead, it has to do with the demolition of the remaining buildings that were once used to support a healthy Visitor Program. I have witnessed a Visitor Program that works in harmony with wildlife. Throughout the years, wildlife has continued to prosper on Midway. I believe a healthy Visitor Program is key to Midway being self-sustaining. Otherwise, the island continues to depend on millions of dollars in free government hand-outs. What could be wrong with a healthy Visitor Program that also supports wildlife on Midway?
The Navy shouldn’t have transferred the island to the FWS to begin with.
The Navy undoubtedly had no choice in the matter. Nevertheless, as a retired Naval officer who had a command on Sand Island in 1970-71, it's my somewhat educated opinion that Midway Island's "use by" date had come and gone by the time this fiasco began. Consequently , I believe the Navy was more than willing to give it up as being an expense without a meaningful return on investment.
Midway was a uniquely pleasant place to work and live on. I HATE what has happened to it as a consequence of having been delivered up to an organization that didn't give a rats' patoot about it other than doing what advanced its own agenda. USFWS was dedicated to throwini away the baby with the bath water -- and it may have succeeded.
It is paradoxical, that as a former commanding officer of animporttant link in my nation;s defense, I cannot go back to Midway because I'm not with the USFWS, but in 1998 I had no trouble returning to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam where I fought against the communists as a member of the River Patrol Force during 1967-68. I was welcomed because the Vietnamese actually like Americans.
I was stationed on Midway for about 7 months back in "89-90" with the Seebeas. We did a nice amount of work on that island and I enjoyed my time there. Nice fishing and water stuff to do. I was very shocked at the destruction of this once beautiful place. The island became a second home and I've always wanted to return one day with family but I see now that will probably never happen.It's a shame because I've bragged about this place in my few Navy stories. SW3 White USN.
Thank you Mike for showing Midway in its better times and what it is now. I feel so lucky to have visited Midway in 97 when MPC was taking care of the island. I hope FWS doesn't do to Midway that they did to Johnston Atoll.
Mike Yarnell
I had a wonderful time there. I have been there twice. The 2nd time was when we celebrated year 2000 twice. Once flying over the international date line to be the 1st to celebrate and then the next night back on the island, we celebrated it again! What a shame
This is truly criminal! I was stationed there 1976-1977. It was my first duty station in the Navy. It used to be beautiful!
After 2 tours to Vietnam, 1965, 66, and 67, I was sent to Midway Island just before Christmas of 1967, I was there until my enlistment was up in July 1968. I was a heavy equipment operator with the Seabees. I always had hopes of visiting Midway again.
What a crime spent a year there in 1970 to 71 loved it Beautiful place so sad and wrong
Midway Phoenix Co. repaired and restored Midway Island perserving Midway's history, natural resources and wildlife. Midway appeals to far more than veterans and other former residents. People from around the world flock to the USS Arizona in Hawaii to experience the history that place. There is a long and rich history at Midway Island. Midway is a place of amazing and unique beauty. Because of its remote location it offers opportunities to interact with nature in a way that is not possible in any other part of the world. It has global significance. FWS has let this beautiful island go to ruin not back to nature.. Thousands would love to return for it's historical value and it recreational value. FWS has let this beautiful island go to ruin not back to nature. Those old buildings were filled with lead and asbestos which FWS lack of maintenance is allowing those poisons into the island soil and the wildlife. Non-native a plant are forcing the birds out of their nesting sites.
Had a stop at midway 1955 returning to the states. What remembered most was the overabundance of goonie birds and a B36 parked at the end of the island
“We’re from the government and we’re here to help”
1969-1970 I had many gooney bird friends. I recall
a night emergency landing, Led Zeppelin blasting
from roof top speakers, and a perfect beach. And
birds. Dancing gooney alarm clocks. The loudest
barracks with stereos blasting. Sad to learn it was
neglected to death.
People viewing this need to call and write congress and demand that FWS be held accountable and the destruction stopped. Public pressure can go a long ways stopping what is happening today
I agree with this . contact your congress people ad get this make believe agency out of there there and redo this island. I am writing a letter to Pres. Trump to start off hope all of you will especially you Midway vets like myself.
November 20, 2014
Oversight Hearing - Entitled - “Is the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Being Properly Managed?”
Congressman John Fleming, M.D., Committee Chairman - “The FWS has a failing grade for achieving public visitation to Midway and for allowing Midway’s historic structures to deteriorate. It was a mistake to make Midway Islands a Wildlife Refuge” and went on to say that the USFWS has no interest, expertise or desire in the National Memorial.
Ronnie Reagans famous words the nine most terrifying words in the English language Im from the Government im here to help you how true more so today than ever this is a prime example
It is a great work and untiring effort of Mr Mike Daak for saving the island for his own fellow country men.I wish American FWS would realize the very logical facts.I am genuinely sad about the situation out there at Midway while being a non American once worked in Midway.It seems FWS is so arrogant that they dont care the very logical facts.TRUTH WILL WIN Mr Daak
Midway is a Wildlife Refuge AND a Battle of Midway National Memorial - an American Memorial that no Veteran or American can visit. Despite the fact that the FWS has a mandate to keep this National Memorial open to the public - it remains closed, to everyone except wildlife favorite friends. A wildlife bird-counter can visit for as little as $0, with all expenses paid. Meanwhile, a Veteran who may have even fought or served military duty on Midway is completely denied access, at any price.
The U.S. government is paying about $6 million per year for the island to remain closed. The FWS seemingly holds the Visitor Program for ransom, claiming they need an extra $1.5 million to host visitors for a few months of the year. The Private Sector has proven that it can maintain the entire island and host a Visitor Program, without any financial burden to the government and earn a profit at the same time.
The FWS has deliberately deselected key buildings from their Maintenance Program with their contract with Chugach, claiming they are only interested in maintaining buildings that they can “use”, despite their Historic Significance. The FWS has a 19-year track record, for anyone to witness their stewardship of the island. The FWS need to retreat to management of wildlife only issues and let another responsible entity manage the island’s infrastructure and resources. Time has proven that the FWS is not motivated by profit and cannot manage anything non-wildlife.
Midway, due to its location and natural resources, has proven it can support itself, at nearly no cost to the U.S. taxpayer. Common sense needs to return to Midway by removing jurisdiction of the island from the FWS. In addition, FWS needs to be held financially accountable for their complete negligence with maintaining buildings and structures that they deliberately abandoned.
The Private Sector needs to return to the island and not be controlled by the FWS. The Coast Guard would be a better Midway partner, as they already have a practical use for the island. The Coast Guard could then advertise for an alternate Cooperator to operate the island, in trade for potential profit. The last Cooperative Agreement did not fail, financially. It failed due to Cooperation issues with the FWS. A third-party moderator could be appointed to settle any disputes that may arise with a new Cooperative Agreement with the Private Sector.
The USFWS is currently undergoing an audit by the GAO. The audit then escalated to a full Investigation. Let’s hope change will come from the findings of these two reports.
+Mike Daak That is truly sad and for what. I was there twice in 81 and it was without doubt the most pristine place I have ever been and even then we were told (Navy) DO NOT MESS with the Goony Birds and nobody did. FN Government...
mike s what is a GOONY Bird?
@@dboydboy1000 the native birds you see in the photos. The albatross. They're nicknamed Goony birds because they're not very bright.
There are no accommodations for Veterans or non-wildlife visitors at Midway, at any price, yet the agency always finds room to host about 19 Bird Counters, every December, at deeply discounted rates, for nearly an entire month.
Chairman Fleming, of the USFWS Oversight Committee said it best with his closing remarks when he said, “Based on our investigation, it is clear that the Service has experienced a number of challenges in managing the Midway Island refuge and objective observers can certainly question whether it was a mistake to transfer this sacred ground to an agency that is far better equipped to manage birds than visitors.”
Hello Mike. I worked on the island back around 94 and 95. This video is very painful to watch. It was very clear to me back then that FWS was inept and anti-humans. I witnessed the wholesale destruction of iron wood trees that resulted in the untold numbers of dead fairy terns. FWS also placed a lot of restrictions on where we could go. I could go on and on, but I'll stop and give myself a good cry.
I’ve been to Midway several times over the past few years. Half of the buildings in this video aren’t there anymore. The rest are marked as off limits due to the poor condition. The monuments are in ok condition. The historic buildings are not. Clipper house looks exactly the same.
This was driven by the professional environmentalist lobby. It is the future of all the world if environmentalists have their way.
What a crying shame. I visited in 1996 and how surreal it was. What more can one say when bureaucracy can never be held to account.
If someone went to Midway Island an intended to visit Morrell and Byers Island, he would be compelled to leave the first one. Even if he can show in a map that these "islands" were displayed on many atlases, mainly from the 19th century.
I've been to Midway twice in the 1990's. Once when all the birds were there and once when they were all out to sea.
MrPhotoman74, your perspective is a little off. Midway has huge historical value.. we preserve the field where the battle of Gettysburg took place, historical buildings all over the nation are preserved and cared for, and we allow visitors from all over the world to view and learn about our history, what we fought for, and we remember those who did. Just because Midway is remote does that mean that history is of less value, too much trouble, or the lives lost of less importance? Midway is where I was born, can I not return to my hometown, where my roots are? I do not believe it is right to ignore something of such significant value because the wildlife was there first, or it's just too much trouble, or too remote. Midway has huge value, value that we have no right to ignore.
Midway Island you were born at Midway? That's pretty crazy to be born on a military base.
@@dboydboy1000 Your joking of course right?
@@dboydboy1000 Why so? Me and my two sisters were also born on Naval stations. Not Midway but other stations.
@@jamesmilner5730 I just meant that’s interesting
Give it Back to the U.S. Navy and Marines!!!!!!!!! BANZAI!!!!!.....
I flew into there years ago to deliver a replacement engine for a stranded aircraft. Just for fun I took a light spinning rod & reel. The near panic of the greenie weenies was a hoot. "You can't bring that here" etc etc... Ridiculous. I say close the runway, stop the supply ship, and let them eat coconuts.
If the development of defense policy required it, the island would be restored as "an unsinkable aircraft carrier" or some other type of post. We do have to be mindful of any other nation that may take an interest in Midway. China comes to mind. I noted a video of an emergency landing by a commercial airliner. The private visitor program relied in great measure upon the existing, but depreciating infrastructure. They did seem to maintain it and add to it in a commendable manner, but they were enjoying a certain sweet spot in the life cycle of that infrastructure, much of which is, but not all, is lost. It may have value as part of an effort to remove plastic waste from the Pacific, as it seems to be positioned near the center of that mess. Long term though, it would seem much of the island will succumb to sea level rise, unless an ambitious program to raise elevations was part of the overall maintenance plan, and some defense purpose would seem necessary to bear that cost.
This is very painful. I was there, my 1st duty station straight out of high school and with the U.S. Navy. It was the warmest, most beautiful place I had the honor to be at in1977-1978. On the tug boat, I believe the YTB TUSCALOOSA. I lost my mother's class ring into pier where the tug boat was anchored when it slipped off my finger. If I could visit any place in the world, it would be Midway and if could volunteer work there it would be an honor.
We're from the government and we're here to help.
I simply do not understand why the government took over the place when the MPC was doing such an excellent job and at no cost to taxpayers. There must have been some sort of under-the-table reasoning for MPC to be booted out. It had to be money. Something stinks with this deal.
Yeah makes you wonder if all that propaganda is really true. Perhaps they were not really doing what this film implies (key word LIES) they were doing.
It's amazing that the fish and wildlife service is so incompetent.
Ran across this video looking for sunny retirement places LOL, I said to myself I know that name Mike Daak... I now remember you talking about working on Midway. I've since retired from the airport govt job. I was thinking my agency was the most mismanaged of all but this agency is a close second. I spoke to Cliff a few years ago and he said you retired too.
Hope all is well
@15:20 "The largest fuel spill in the state of Hawaii" did NOT happen at Midway because Midway is NOT in or part of the State of Hawaii. Midway is a territory owned by the Federal Government of the United States, but it is NOT owned, occupied, or presided over by any state government.
Having never been to Midway, I can't really comment authoritatively. However, as an "outside observer" it would seem to me that the island was, basically, DESTROYED. Yes, I get the people, here on this thread, who say that "it was an atoll" and now it is being returned to its original state. Really don't buy that. From the video, it appeared that it was a flourishing island - the birds and humans seem to be getting along quite well. I'd be the very first one to say that we have to preserve these birds and other wildlife on the island. But, as an animal/bird lover, I think we can do better than this, INHO. p.s. The music was really appropriate for this "death knell" that we all observed.
+Michael Donavon As a Naval Aircrewman, i deployed to Midway many times back in the '80s. You are right, USFWS destroyed what was a wonderful island. I loved deploying there. For the birds, the weather, the beautiful beaches and water. It was an awesome place. If I went back there now, I would just cry like a baby at how disrespectful USFWS has been, to the island, to the wild life and to the Sailors and their families who also loved that island. Disgusting.
During all of my 20 years in the USAF, (Avionics Mtn.) never was stationed, or deployed, in the Pacific. My wife and I did fly (space available out of Travis) to Hickam AFB, in Hawaii - I wanted to see the Arizona Memorial. Was very touching.
I'm sure you had an awesome, interesting, career, in the Navy, as a Naval Aircrewman. Thanks for the kind words.
N-6395T, Ret. MSgt. USAF
Never underestimate our government's ability to waste our money.
I lived on Midway when i was 7 1970 to 1972. My Dad was stationed there.
Another fine example of a Gov run operation. When will we learn that Gov is not the answer.
sad to see history destroyed this way.
Midway looks like an urbex paradise
This makes me sick. The only concern I'm seeing is that the video is showing the Clipper house as being demolished. It's still standing as of 2020 along with Captain Brook's tavern.
The Clipper House restaurant is still there and being used by the FWS.
I really don't care about the Clipper House. It wasn't there in 64-66 when I was. It's all the other fallen down and missing buildings that concern me. Have they ever bothered to maintain the old SAR hanger (WW II seaplane hanger), the Comm unit, any of the housing? What about the galley? Pictures I've seen of the gym look like crap (the seabees built it shortly after I arrived in 64). The O club and Chiefs club are gone, So are the school and chapel as well as the old admin building where I put out the island paper on Saturday and Sunday mornings (at 0 dark thirty In the KMTH radio studio so it would be at the galley by 6:00 am) as my high school journalism class. And as someone else mentioned, how about the probable thousands of Fairy Terms probably killed both the removal of trees they nested on.
Time to fire US Fish and Wildlife as the primary care taker and get the US Military back in charge with the FUNDING to do what is necessary. Enough is enough!
Everyone share this.
How's big ideal was this?
It looks like the "us forest bad joke (service?) is more destructive and cost the taxpayers more than the private company MPC did! I used to paint those houses in 1966, I used to say to myself I would like to go back and visit for a couple of weeks! But the but heads of us forest ("service"?) do not know their 4$$ from a hole in the ground!
It's not the Forest Service. It's Fish and Wildlife.
@@jamesmilner5730 thanks for the correction but both are not Constitutional and are out if their jurisdiction under cfr's!
they should go back down there and restore all those buildings they tore down and re do the bird statue
That's sad!
This is why I don't go to Cape Hatteras sea shore any more .Same damn people and the God Damn Bird People. Ruined a great treasure.
It seems you are saying that the backlogged maintenance could be paid for by a visitor program. You had that figure at $160 million. That would have to be a phenomenally profitable visitor program. Most of the claims in this video just make me want to hear the other side of the story. My grandfather was a Marine on Midway during the battle of Midway and I served there with VP-17. I think it is an incredible place and I will always value the memories I have of being there but there is already enough tourism in Hawaii. If Midway can be given back to nature it will be a huge victory for us.
Sadly seeing infrastructure being destroyed without thinking of possible future usage.
The public is not allowed to go to French Frigate Shoals either.
So you can't visit here anymore?
+BloodAxe793 We "commoners" wouldn't treat the place with enough respect I guess.
/sarc off
RobertM so we can't visit the North Pole, the South Pole and now Midway. WTF gives?!
Sad.
US Navy 1977-78
Navy 63 64
Just what we need, another Johnston Atoll. What a criminal waste of a beautiful Island.
Precisely !!!
Sounds like everyone here wanted the world's hottest tourist destination to be midway with little regard for the incredibly rare plants and wildlife which it supports. I wouldn't be against limited visitation, but for goodness sakes a sport fishing club and dive shop?! That's a bit much for an area of such ecological importance
How about the "demolition by neglect" by the USFWS of all the historical monuments that MPC took special care of????? And the islands ecology flourished while the island was managed by MPC. Now the FWS is bitching (or so they want it to sound like) that they just don't have the funds to maintain the monuments. Huhhhh. Seems that was all taken care of before they gave MPC the boot. I'm afraid you would have to educate yourself further (not an insult) before passing this type of judgement.
@@teddysmith1952 I am afraid you must also educate yourself on the natural history of the island before passing your judgement. The island ecology was not flourishing with the MPC. If your argument is "Look at all the trees, there is so much life" you are incorrect. The above video mentions the removal of Ironwood trees from much of the island as a negative, citing that albatross were caught in the snags and dying, plus erosion control/shade. However, the primary reason the trees were removed in the first place was because albatross get stuck in the live trees too. Birds with 10 foot wingspans aren't designed to fly nimbly through trees. As for erosion/shade, native shrubs which have been replanted on the islands as well as native grasses can preform this role. The benefit of this removal can be seen in albatross count data from the annual Christmas Bird Count. In 1999, during MPC's stay, there were 400,000 albatross. However in 2016, just a few years after this video is posted and after significant restoration including tree removals, the island saw more albatross than ever with 1,119,724 birds seen. That's nearly as many albatross as humans who live in the state.
@@curtismahon9948 I'm afraid your hopeless youngster. Why don't you start on Maui and Oahu next? I mean look at what those nasty humans have done to the once paradise of those islands. Is there a difference? Just imagine the albatross boom if you can level the trees and 95% of the vegetation. Betting your mouth is watering.....
@@teddysmith1952 Your inability to differentiate between the ecological processes of a 8 square mile island with an altitude of 20 ft and a 727 square mile island which reaches an altitude of 10,000ft is telling
It was that way when the navy had it it was kept up well birds and humans got along fine it looks like environmental government joke called fish and wildlife is destructive and controlled by a bimunch of freaking demonrats always spending everyone else's money!
It's easy to cherry pick without looking into the why's and only opining about personal preferences. There are reasons this was done, largely overlooked by this opinion piece. Not the least of which the majority of the trees removed were non-native invasive species. There were also economic issues, in 2012 the last year of the visitor program 332 people visited the island. An island that requires all food and other supplies be brought in by boat or plane. Hard to see any economic viability for less than one visitor per day.
Yes, all the trees were non native invasive, because the damn island was nothing but sand! Everything there was non native before people moved in!
OK then, let's dig up and dispose of the half of Sand Island that the Navy created. The current shape is NOT the natural shape or size. Let's go all the way or not at all. Let's start by getting those FWS people OUT of there.
Like ALL THINGS DEMOCRAT . . . they simply "Screw Up", EVERYTHING THEY TOUCH . . . this is simply "One More Example" !.
Interesting video but the reason Phoenix left is only speculation unless you were a financial part of the actual program. Saying a visitors program “would" be profitable is also speculation. You might say it "could" be profitable but that is also a government study guess based on unknowns. The air charter service was documented as operating at a loss and that wouldn’t go on for long. Would the profitable program rely on government subsidized flights? I’d like to see something nice there but it would have to be government subsidized.
I was a part of the program and I did witness months that were profitable. Midway Phoenix covered all costs for their Visitor Program, the Air Travel Program and covered nearly ALL costs of operating the entire island. In fact, MPC also PAID the USFWS for the privilege of operating their Visitor Program. MPC charged $650 for a round-trip airfare. Today, (IF YOU GET APPROVED FOR A TRIP) the all mighty FWS will charge you $3900 for the same airfare. In addition, they will charge you for meals, lodging and more - AND they will charge you $5000 for a Special Use Permit, just to take photos of the island. Interesting how YOUR speculation made you look like a fool.
Mike Daak I’m sorry, I wasn’t rude to you and I’m sure you miss the island and are clearly bitter about the subject so I forgive you but that still doesn’t mean you can’t realize the obvious facts. I actually think you may understand the reality but you are unhappy with the outcome of the Midway program. I will try to be gentle with my comment as I was before, they really are not for you because nothing I write in a comment thread will change your mind if you don’t understand. My comments above and are spot on realistic observations and people with a realistic perspective can see that. When you list the costs that the government charges to cover actual expenses only reinforces my points of what it costs to operate in a remote area. By saying it was profitable doesn’t make it profitable. Capitalizing the word "all" in reference to covering the costs doesn’t make it a fact either. The airline was well documented to be operating at a loss so that couldn’t go on forever and normal replacement and upgrade costs of infrastructure like wastewater treatment and water purification to meet current health standards is very expensive and exponentially more so in a remote area. That by itself would doom it without huge government subsidized funds. I respect the time and effort you made compiling the video. Keep in mind people look at rude comments like those you made and it detracts from your effort. The first half of the video was a nice example of what the US Military can create in a very short period of time. The second half detracts from the memory showing poorly maintained equipment and infrastructure. This doesn’t happen overnight, it looks degradation from years of lack of maintenance from mismanagement.
@@RoyalCrane Your Joe Biden.......right? Be honest....
i lived on midway .79-80 usn air station . . seabees . plumbling water ac,r ,,boilers. maintance... i wished to stay but was told no.. i want to go back . i cant.. boo on the leaders that let this go to so poor condishions...fire the people that have mismanaged it all...cut the trees down booo.!! let it all go to dust..boo. on clinton .bush obama trump.!!
This would be foolish if we don't reactivate midway islands. Having barracks, runways, and other infrastructure needs that are already there. Something with Johnson island for logistics.
On Midway, the only barracks left standing today is BOQ-Charlie. I was told the third floor of BOQ-Charlie is off-limits, due to falling cement and water leaking from the electrical fixtures. By not having anywhere for visitors to stay, the USFWS have the ultimate excuse for not reopening their promised Visitor Program. Also, since this video was made, several other buildings have been demolished, including the Main Galley.
so what do the residents do now to support themselves.......clean up bird shit? SAD
Since this is taxpayer owned and no longer serves as anything military,.,could it not be bought? It would make a terrific vacation,tourist destination.Since its clear this has become a burden to taxpayers I think it should be offered for sale,only to a vetted American person or people,,not some company that is foreign owned. It cannot be any worse than it is now. I would entertain others in this idea. Please contact me if you too see the benefits of this vs what is happening now.
But if the intent is to make it a wildlife preserve, which it sure seems to be, then human presence has to be diminished and eradicated. Looks like FWS is doing it’s mission. The real gripe in these comments and video seem to be a basic disagreement with making it a preserve based on past experiences of having been there when it was more “developed.” Well, it’s purpose has changed. Just because it used to be a cool place some of you got to enjoy in the past does not make it wrong with letting it naturally degrade to eradicate human presence. There is no longer any military reason to keep it open. USMC 1980-2000.
Midway is a Wildlife Refuge AND a Battle of Midway National Memorial - the only National Memorial that's closed, with no plan to ever reopen for visitors. The USFWS are also required to preserve registered historic structures. Instead, they've been busy demolising historic structures. On 11/20/2014 Congressman Fleming, USFWS Oversight Committee Chairman stated - “The FWS has a failing grade for achieving public visitation to Midway and for allowing Midway’s historic structures to deteriorate. It was a mistake to make Midway Islands a Wildlife Refuge.” He went on to say that the USFWS has no interest, expertise or desire in the National Memorial.
Who the hell are these people. Disgusting.
Just so you know, there is no such place as Midway Island.
Some humans are the worst
I don't see why we should e spending any money on Midway, either through DWS or letting a private corporation run it. Aside from the sentimental nostalgic value of a few hundred or even a few thousand people who lived there or were stationed there, what possible benefit is there to doing anything with the island. Why not just let it revert back to nature?
Well to answer your question, why do we allow visitors to visit places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier National Park? It's to pay homage to those who explored the area, to view the beauty in it's glory. If you don't allow people to view it, then people forget. Most of our current generation has no idea what Midway was other than footage they see in movies and TV. This should be a National Park. There should be visitors. Apparently the birds are ok with people being around.
Orion Thrower The National Parks you mentioned, Yellowstone, etc, are all within driving distance of major metropolitan areas and have the infrastructure in place or nearby to handle visitors. Turning Midway into a tourist destination and MAINTAINING the facilities there would be prohibitively expensive for the small amount of visitors you could expect. So if anything were to be done, it ought to be privately funded. But my larger point, which seems to have been missed, is that opening this island up to development of tourist facilities - retooling the airstrip and docking facilities, refitting existing buildings or constructing new ones for lodging, dining, recreation, etc - would all have an adverse impact on the environment and the wildlife there. This is a case where the cost(s) seem to outweigh any potential benefits.
***** I photograph news and sports professionally for small-town community papers and on my own time I photograph landscapes, wildlife, people, city life. Your (overly) emotional response reminded me of something one of my editors once said in response to the many requests we would get to cover certain stories: ":Just because it happened to YOU, doesn't make it interesting." Just because Midway holds some emotional connection for YOU, doesn't mean it should for everyone else. Read my response to Onion Thrower. We have too many other items on our plate that deserve our attention and our funding before we invest in Midway.
Did you fall asleep and miss the two dozen photos that showed that a company actually did generate revenue and made the island awesome for both wildlife and visitors?
Why not let wherever you live just revert back to nature?
Another Clinton legacy.
It was actually the BRAC under the first Bush administration that closed Midway and ordered the transfer to FWS.
Goof. It's just as well. No one needs to gp to Midway.
pathetic........this is Obama and Hillary Clintons view of the world
Why would the government or anyone waste money on this island?
Many people want to visit. It could be a fantastic resort location. But it would help to put the flora back to what it looked like in the 1960's.
When something like this is maintained at know expense too the American government is dumb for stopping this. When maintained the islands would be ready for any military action needs. Like China is going to be a cautious event to the future.