Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Wieteke Holthuijzen/USFWS

A Warm Welcome from Wayne Sentman Special points of interest: Dear Friends,  This past winter, a record number As the newly elected President of FOMA it is of Laysan and Black-footed with great excitement that I present the Winter Albatross nesting at Midway Atoll 2015 edition of the Gooney Gazette II. We are NWR were recorded during the thrilled to share this summary of current news annual albatross census— nearly 1.4 from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge / million albatross in total! Battle of Midway National Memorial.  Midway has a brand new The stories shared here relate the tremendous shadehouse for native plant efforts put forth by USFWS volunteers and propagation—funded in part by employees to both preserve the illustrious FOMA! history of Midway and concurrently achieve  FOMA is about to launch a brand conservation gains for the unique fauna, who new website… stay tuned for are now the most numerous “residents” of details! Midway. All accomplished during a prolonged era of stagnant budgets and downsizing, it is a true testament to the dedication and ingenuity Inside this issue:

of the current mangers and volunteers who A Warm Welcome from FOMA take their place in a long line of “stewards” who President, Wayne Sentman 1 have and continue to work diligently to Record-Breaking Number of preserve and protect this tiny coral atoll. Breeding Albatross on Midway 2 As you know, spending time on Midway Atoll is Lucky Ducks: Guzzlers Go in the Ground 3 a transformative experience, inspiring a lifelong connection to these beautiful aquamarine islands The Art of Midway—Focus on USFWS Artist Caren Loebel-Fried 4 of the Pacific. In 1999, the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was established, Marine Debris, From You and Me 4 and with your support over the last 16 years, From the Field: Volunteer Life and we have been bound together by one mission: Times on Midway 6

“To support Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge / Going Green on Midway Battle of Midway National Memorial in its efforts to 6 preserve, protect, and restore the biological diversity FOMA Funds Shadehouse for and historic resources of Midway Atoll, while Native Plant Propagation 7 providing opportunity for wildlife-dependent Restoring Midway’s Memorials recreation, education, cultural experiences, and with the American Battle 8 Monument Commission scientific research.” WWII Veteran Col. Miniclier 9 Wayne Sentman Shares Stories from Midway Midway 1999–2002, FOMA President FOMA FY2015 Overview 10 Wayne Sentman/USFWS Winter 2015 Page 1 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Record-Breaking Number of Breeding Albatross on Midway

By Ann Bell, USFWS Visitor Services Manager, Pacific As noted by Refuge Manager Islands Refuges and Monuments Office Dan Clark, “Our management In the beginning of January, Midway Atoll actions here ensure adequate NWR proudly released the results from the nesting sites that are free of recent annual nesting albatross census, again non-native predators and other confirming the refuge as the largest nesting invasive species so the overall albatross colony in the world. Nineteen success of both species’ is more volunteers systematically covered the entire secured into the future.” surface of the atoll’s three small islands To conduct the census, the counting active nest sites from each of two three islands at Midway Atoll species (Laysan and Black-footed Albatross) are divided into manageable Dan Clark/USFWS from December 11, 2014 through January 2, sectors. The volunteers walk population in the Northwestern Hawaiian 2015. Their final count resulted in over 1.39 together in a systematic manner to ensure all Islands, where most of them historically nest, million individual birds, assuming two adults nesting birds are counted. An albatross sitting was estimated to be fewer than 20,000 birds per nest, for both albatross species combined. on an egg in a nest is counted once and owing to illegal egg poachers and feather This year (hatch year 2015) far surpassed any represents a breeding pair. Albatrosses hunters,” noted Deputy Refuge Manager Bret previous documented year for nesting Laysan present but not on an egg may be immature, Wolfe. “We’ll be closely analyzing and albatross on Midway Atoll with 666,044 pairs unpaired, or just resting individuals. These comparing our data with those collected at recorded. The current year count for Laysan birds are not included in this census. other nesting sites within Papahānaumokuākea Albatross represents a 52% increase over the The numbers of nesting albatrosses on Marine National Monument like Kure Atoll average number for the period from hatch Midway Atoll fluctuate from year to year. In State Wildlife Sanctuary, to determine if this years 2010 to 2014. Black-footed Albatross any given year approximately 25% of the year’s numbers are an anomaly or part of a nesting pairs came in at 28,610 for the atoll, breeding population may take a year off larger trend.” also a new record, up just over 18% from the nesting to replenish energy reserves and An undertaking of this magnitude relies on the 2010-2014 average. The previous high year for complete feather molting. Sexually mature dedication of many volunteers who donate Laysan albatross was 2006 with 487,527 while albatrosses are presumed to make nesting their time during the holiday season and share for black-footed the previous high was 28,581 decisions each year based on a number of in the cost of the associated logistics. The in 2011. complicated and interwoven factors such as Refuge’s non-profit support organization, The reference “hatch year 2015” defines the ocean conditions, their body condition and Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife albatross breeding season from the time eggs need to molt, and environmental conditions Refuge, also contributes funding to help the were laid in November 2014, hatched in that may affect food availability for the rest of Refuge host this annual count. January 2015, and expected to leave Midway the season. Atoll by July 2015. “In the 1920s, the entire Laysan albatross

Dan Clark/USFWS Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Laysan Ducks next to a newly installed guzzler at Midway Atoll NWR. Photo credit: Megan Dalton/USFWS. Lucky Ducks: Guzzlers Go in the Ground “Access to fresh water is By Megan Dalton, USFWS Volunteer at ducklings have not yet developed maintain, and clean than the Midway Atoll NWR this capability and are vulnerable former artificial wetlands. to dehydration. Midway’s Laysan Ducks (Anas Additionally, the areas around the especially important for laysanensis) have a few new places The guzzlers were placed in the new guzzler locations will be to dabble in. Three out of six locations of three former targeted for Laysan Duck habitat water guzzler structures wetlands (Parade, creation and enhancement, ducklings, particularly in purchased by FOMA were Communications, and Sunrise) including the development of installed on Sand Island in mid- that were filled in in an effort to loafing and foraging habitat. drought years.” October; these are in addition to manage the large avian botulism Outplantings of native the four guzzlers already in place outbreak in 2013. Avian botulism Bunchgrass/Kāwelu (Eragrostis on Sand and Eastern Islands, also is a paralytic disease caused by variabilis), Button Sedge/Mauʻu USFWS Volunteer Megan Dalton fills one of the purchased by FOMA. The ingestion of a toxin produced by ʻakiʻaki (Fimbristylis cymosa), and newly installed guzzlers with water. Photo structures consist of a large tub the bacteria, Clostridium ‘Alena (Boerhavia repens) have credit: Bret Wolfe/USFWS. capable of holding 500 gallons, botulinum. This bacteria is already occurred. which is placed in the ground, and widespread in soil and requires The remaining three guzzlers are a roof and gutter above to catch warm temperatures, a protein scheduled to be installed next rainwater. They are commonly source, and an anaerobic (no summer after the Bonin Petrels used on the mainland as watering oxygen) environment in order to (Pterodroma hypoleuca) and holes for big game animals and become active and produce albatrosses have fledged. will serve as additional fresh toxin. Outbreaks of this disease Several big thank you’s go out to water sources for Midway’s have occurred in the wetlands all who made this possible: endangered Laysan Ducks. every year since 2008 and have FOMA, for the purchase of the killed and sickened hundreds of Access to fresh water is especially guzzlers; DBSI staff, for the quick ducks. Intensive management important for ducklings, and excellent installations; Dr. efforts and time are required to particularly in drought years. Michelle Reynolds of USGS, for prevent outbreaks from Although adult ducks are able to guidance and encouragement; and intensifying further and it is drink brackish water due to the USFWS staff and volunteers, for thought that the guzzlers may presence of fully functioning salt project support, placement prove to be easier to manage, glands below the eye, young criteria ideas, and site prep work.

Winter 2015 Page 3 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge The Art of Midway

By Caren Loebel-Fried—artist, author, and illustrator albatross in order to see the structure of the I had the honor of creating a piece of art that wings, bones, and muscles. celebrates and supports Midway Atoll National So many amazing creatures live or breed on Wildlife Refuge, the Battle of Midway the Atoll, and the human stories of heroism, Memorial, and the deep Hawaiian roots tragedy, and survival during the Battle of throughout Papahānaumokuākea, the Midway are too numerous to tell in one piece Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. My biggest of art. I worked closely with Dan Clark and challenge was to evoke the unique essence of Bret Wolfe, the Refuge Manager and Deputy Midway Atoll, and include as much of its variety Manager, and Ann Bell, Visitor Services as possible. But alas, how can the “Magic of Manager, choosing the elements that would Midway” be represented in one piece of art? appear in the art and their placement. The I arrived on the Atoll in early winter to the albatrosses would be within a frame of many sights and sounds of thousands of Laysan panels filled with images representing the albatrosses sitting on nests and dancing in decisive WWII battle fought off Midway, other courtship. Every night, the clacking, honking, seabirds who depend on Midway for nesting and rapid fire bill-clapping of the albatrosses habitat, an ancient Hawaiian Voyaging Canoe was the soundtrack to my dreams. I was sailing by on its way down the island chain, and mesmerized by their loving attention to one several endemic and native plants. Other panels another and to their egg. I knew the “stars” of would include coral, fish, a Hawaiian Monk Seal, the piece would be a nesting Laysan Albatross ʻĪlioholoikauaua, and a Green Sea Turtle, Honu, pair, and I would want to reveal a private, all from the sea around the atoll. Dan Clark/USFWS intimate moment amid the cacophony all I also wanted to highlight some of the work around them. accuracy. My work would not have been that USFWS is doing to help the wildlife on possible without their incredible support and In order to give the art a feeling of place, I Midway. I envisioned a Laysan Duck, from the help. needed to experience as much of Midway and original group of ducks translocated from its wildlife as possible. So, I spent every waking Laysan, reaching up to nibble on Bunchgrass, My ultimate goal was to create a piece that hour of my stay exploring Sand, Spit, and Kāwelu, seeds in the main panel. The could be enjoyed as fine art, and also be Eastern Islands, as well as the waters inside and Bunchgrass, used as nesting material by printed on everyday items. By purchasing just outside the atoll. I sketched, photographed, albatrosses, would be shown out-planted by Midway merchandise, funds are raised for and videoed the different birds, their behavior human hands. FOMA in support of the work that USFWS is and flight. I studied the movement of the doing on Midway. With this art, I also hope to While working on the art back home in ocean, the wind, the light, the colors, and share a glimmer of the magic of this special Volcano, I emailed scientists and staff on textures. I dissected an albatross bolus to learn place that I am so lucky to have had the Midway, Honolulu staff, and former Midway what they consumed. Fascinated by their opportunity to experience and help. folks with questions, requests for photos, and soaring, I observed a dissection of a deceased asked them to review my sketches for Caren Loebel-Fried’s Midway-inspired art will be available for purchase soon—stay tuned for news from FOMA! Marine Debris, From You and Me By Wayne Sentman, FOMA President becomes microplastic that other living things eat. as a global community we are only adding to an Currently, ingested plastic has been identified as a already vexing problem. Perhaps as the issue As anyone who has spent time on Midway Atoll is probable source that carries and transfers organic becomes more of a public health issue, as we all too familiar, plastic marine pollution is a global problem. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge pollutants directly into fish that people eat. Other discover more and more ways that we are recent studies have also shown that table salt ingesting plastic, we will better appreciate the and the albatross found there, continue to serve (distilled from sea water) may have high levels of warning Midway’s albatross have been providing as the poster child for the impacts of the North Pacific Garbage patch, one of the 5 major “gyres,” microplastic in it. In some samples as many as 250 us since 1966. particles of plastic were found in each pound of or accumulation points of oceanic plastic To learn what you can do to reduce your plastic sea salt. pollution. footprint check out the wonderful suggestions Being attuned to this issue you may have noticed While researchers are not fully aware of the found here. And please, remember to support implications of eating so much plastic on the north FOMA. It is through our membership fees and more information coming to light about the Pacific albatross populations, it is becoming donations that we can continue to support refuge challenges all living beings face due to the ubiquitous nature of plastics in our oceans, and increasingly understood that “as go the albatross, initiatives on Midway Atoll aimed at mitigating the so go humans.” As we continue to ignore our impacts plastic pollution may be having on increasingly in our food chains. As plastic pollution global “misuse” of single-use plastic, and lack of albatross populations breeding there. breaks down it does not “go away,” but simply proper disposal of these items, we are seeing that

Winter 2015 Page 4 Dan Clark/USFWS

Above: Artist Caren Loebel-Fried sketches the behavior of an incubating Laysan Albatross at Midway Atoll. Below: Caren at her studio at home in Volcano, Hawai'i, carefully carving the block print for her Midway piece. She learned the art of block printing from her mom. Growing up on the New Jersey shore, she spent summers on the beach, with the ocean sights, sprays, sounds, smells, and the seabirds circling above, she watched her mother carve blocks and played with the curls of wood that fell from her block into the sand. Left: The finished piece—and it perfectly captures the “Magic of Midway!”

Ann Bell/USFWS

Left: © 2009 Rebecca R Jackrel, www.RebeccaJackrel.com

Right: “Disposable Lighters” © 2010 El Ten Eleven, http://elevenelevenjournal.com/ Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge From the Field: Volunteer Life and Times on Midway

By Kristina McOmber, USFWS Volunteer at Midway several remote seabird islands, Midway is Atoll NWR particularly striking in its potential for habitat I'm Kristina and I've been volunteering on restoration due to its extensive Midway since late September. Every day this infrastructure. Here, we have the ability to atoll has a way of reminding me that this is a restore habitat by actually growing and totally unique place that has no comparison raising native plants! Without roads, carts, on any other speck of land on this planet. hoses, ample fresh water, a greenhouse, a The makeup of its primate and avian beautiful new shadehouse (funded by inhabitants, the color of blue the lagoon FOMA!), and a climate-controlled room for achieves, the staggering array of fish under seed storage, we couldn't put forth the large the water's surface, the sunbathing turtles scale effort necessary to plant back Midway and seals, the intense conglomeration of to its native state. Instead of throwing up my plastic and metal debris, the history of the hands and saying, "We just don't have the landscape and infrastructure, the shameless ability to restore!", here, we can marvel at curiosity of the Laysan Ducks, and the the restoration sites around the island and Current Midway Atoll NWR FWS Volunteers (from left, Kiah bloodied beak of an albatross that was continue working on more restoration, Walker, Naira de Gracia, Aisha Rickli-Rahman, Kristina recently in a brawl now gently preening the helped along by the unique opportunity that McComber, and Keeley Hassett) complete the loading of neck of his mate... It cannot be duplicated or Midway, the former military base, can offer Sustainable Coastaline Hawai’i’s marine debris shipping rivaled. As someone who has worked on its wildlife—a very satisfying feeling! container. Photo credit: Bret Wolfe/USFWS.

Going Green on Midway: Composting Takes Off!

“Almost 90% of By Wieteke Holthuijzen, FOMA Board difficulties in terms of processing, collected and treated with Effective Member and past USFWS Volunteer at packaging, and transporting materials Microorganisms (EM)—a natural- Midway Atoll NWR to and from the atoll, a specialized occurring blend of microbes that materials currently Before coming to Midway Atoll and progressive approach to waste kickstart the decomposition process. NWR, I had a blended background, minimization and responsible After that, the compostable materials disposed at Midway splitting my time between tackling resource is both economically mature in a windrow (an elongated sustainability initiatives, projects, and sensible and environmentally pile turned to assist with moisture Atoll NWR’s Dump grants at the University of Idaho’s responsible. Thus— the need for a retention, temperature regulation, Sustainability Center and spending my waste characterization study arose. and aeration). Armed with basic tools—a pitch fork, temperature summers doing field work and The results were quite astonishing could be composted.” probe, and pH strips—volunteers are running around after birds. As soon (and the data was, of course, quite taking huge strides as stewards for as I came to Midway, one of my first stinky to go through). After Midway, not just protecting wildlife thoughts was: where does all the collecting, categorizing, and weighing but ensuring a sustainable habitat for waste go? My inner sustainability more than 971 pounds of “waste,” I all. junkie went into full throttle and I finally sat down to do the numbers. soon found myself jumping into What came out was this: together, Currently, it is estimated that Midway Midway’s Dump and sorting through food waste and paper/paper products Atoll NWR disposes upwards of 25 and categorizing nearly a half ton of accounted for nearly 90% of tons per year at the dump. However, waste. Midway’s waste stream. So, rather the potential exists to use over 20 But why care about waste? Consider than “throw away” 90% of Midway’s tons as high quality compost that this: the production and consumption waste, why not compost it and use it would support native plant of food, consumer goods, and other as a much needed soil amendment propagation and habitat management products generates a substantial for native plant propagation? efforts. The composting program is in its infancy but Midway is on its path volume of material, most of which is Answer: we started composting. to a “greener” future. FOMA hopes ultimately discarded and requires With limited resources, time, and to support sustainability initiatives on collection, re‐use, recycling, staff, composting operations are Midway Atoll NWR— and maybe composting, or disposal. Waste limited but they have begun! someday, this Refuge will be management is especially difficult for Essentially, food waste and completely self-sustaining in terms of remote communities. Due to compostable paper products are Midway’s location and logistical energy production and waste management!

Winter 2015 Page 6 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge FOMA Funds Shadehouse for Habitat Restoration Efforts

By Linda Watters, FOMA Treasurer, and Bret Wolfe, type of structure, even in comparison to US- Deputy Refuge Manager At Midway Atoll NWR made models.

In May 2015, the Friends of Midway Atoll The Refuge staff decided that the best location National Wildlife Refuge purchased a wide-span for the shadehouse was between the shadehouse kit for the Refuge for the purpose Transportation Building and the Seaplane of expanding the on-island native plant Hangar. This location was most suitable propagation program. The kit was purchased because anchoring into an existing concrete from Fernland Agencies Horticultural and pad prevented displacing any nesting habitat. Nursery Supplies in Queensland Australia, at a The location is centrally located and will be total cost of $13,070.00. This included the cost convenient for staff and volunteers to access. of shipping the materials from Australia to It is also located near a water main, so Honolulu, Hawaii. The shadehouse measures connecting to water will be simple. 21 meters wide by approximately 29.2 meters Defense Bases Services, Inc., erected the long, with the outer walls 2.5 meters high rising structure over two consecutive weekends, at a to 3.5 meters in the center. The covering is a cost of $7,092.80. DBSI’s lead facilities lightweight black premium commercial grade mechanic, Moo, devised an alternative solution For water drains in the shadehouse, Ae’2 and Moo dug knitted shade cloth for the roof and walls, with that made the installation easier and more three holes through the concrete and filled them with hinged swing doorways on each end of the coarse gravel. Photo credit: Bret Wolfe/USFWS. secure. Instead of digging holes and pouring structure. concrete to secure the vertical poles, the poles The next step will be for DBSI to connect The Refuge received the shipment of the were cut to length and steel plates were water for the sprinkler system. The Refuge will shadehouse components on the September welded to the bottoms. These plates were also be purchasing tables and other accessories resupply ship. Since the shipment came from then secured to the concrete using anchoring to outfit the shadehouse and will reuse some Australia, there was an additional cost of about bolts. Not only did this preclude having to use greenhouse supplies recently removed from $1,500.00 to clear the shipment through any of the limited supply of concrete, but the Laysan Island to keep costs down. The customs; however, even with clearing US entire shadehouse can be easily disassembled shadehouse should be operational by customs, the cost of the shadehouse and and moved, if desired. December. shipping was still worthwhile for the size and

Counterclockwise from left: (top left) Anchai and Hatsanai weld steel plates onto the bottom of the poles; (center left) after carefully laying out the locations, the first step was to secure the 27 vertical poles onto the concrete pad with anchor bolts; (bottom left) the shade house has a door on each end so a cart can be driven through to pick up and transport plants; (right) now that the shadehouse is in place, the Refuge will build propagating tables inside and install a sprinkler system with the help of DBSI. Photo credits: Bret Wolfe/USFWS. Winter 2015 Page 7 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

The newly installed Battle of Midway artwork at the Navy Memorial on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge; (from left) Carlos Garcia, Bob Armbruster, and Tom Sole. Photo credit: Bret Wolfe/USFWS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and American Battle Monument Commission Restore Midway’s Memorials

By Bret Wolfe, Deputy Refuge Manager at to the current location of the Bowling Alley the 1990s, the population of these ground- Midway Atoll NWR at the intersection of Peters and Nimitz burrowing seabirds has been steadily increasing back to their historical numbers. 2015 was an exciting year for Midway’s Avenues. The first memorial at this site was a Fencing will be buried surrounding the partnership with the American Battle bronze marker installed soon after structures to prevent the petrels from Monument Commission (ABMC). In August, December 7, 1941 near the Administration digging under the structures and undermining ABMC’s Tom Sole travelled to Midway with Building that was then standing at the their stability. Grass block pavers will also be Bob Armbruster, Carlos Garcia, and Mike location. The current memorial podium was used to create a solid area for seating during Gangloff to install the newly created artwork built in 1962, by which point the memorial events. The project should be for the Navy Memorial and a new granite Administration Building had been removed, completed in time to commemorate the 75th memorial marker. Bob Armbruster is an to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of anniversary of the Battle of Midway. internationally recognized expert in the the Battle of Midway. The two 5-inch guns restoration of historic architectural concrete, were also moved to the location around this The new granite marker was created by Rock exposed aggregate concrete, and mosaic time. Leading up to the famous battle, these of Ages quarry in Graniteville, VT. Mike concrete artworks. Bob and Carlos modelled World War I vintage naval guns were Gangloff, a contractor who has worked with the new artwork on the existing water- salvaged off decommissioned battleships and ABMC at the Punchbowl Memorial in damaged painting of the Navy Memorial emplaced to support the defenses on Sand Honolulu, prepared the marker for mounting podium. The artwork, based on a series of Island. Over the years, other plaques and and supervised the installation. The marker’s paintings by famed aviation artist R.G. Smith, memorial markers were added around the location overlooking the Inner Harbor was depicts a snapshot of the Battle of Midway site. Around 1972, the large wooden chosen to commemorate the crews of the capturing the heroic actions of U.S. naval albatross carving was installed at the site fifteen submarines lost during World War II pilots flying their Douglas SBD Dive Bombers linking the military history with the islands whose last port-of-call was Midway. Men lost during the pivotal few minutes that changed wildlife inhabitants. The “Giant Gooney” while in service to the U.S. Submarine Force the course of the battle. The artwork, stood as a central attraction at the memorial are considered to be “On Eternal Patrol.” consisting of three concrete mosaic panels, for over 40 years before termite damage Special thanks to Midway volunteer Gary was produced in The Armbruster Company’s took its toll necessitating its removal. Nielsen, and Kriangkrai Sriprasert and Apiwat studio in Northbrook, IL and—considering Restoration work will include stripping and Juethong of Defense Base Services, Inc., who the quality of the materials—should last for repainting the podium, cleaning the brass were instrumental in preparing the sites and many decades. plaques and refurbishing the pedestals, helping with the actual installations. ABMC is now working with refuge staff to repairing and replacing the concrete For more information on the Navy Memorial at develop a plan for restoration of the Navy sidewalks, cleaning and painting the 5-inch Midway Atoll NWR / Battle of Midway National Memorial structures and grounds. The Navy guns and anchor, and installing a fence around Memorial, please visit: https://www.abmc.gov/ Memorial is located on the site of the former the podium. When the Navy Memorial was cemeteries-memorials/pacific/midway-memorial- Naval Air Station administration building next built, very few Bonin petrels were found on marker#.VkuXbberSzc. Midway. But since the eradication of rats in

Winter 2015 Page 8 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Memories from the Past: Reflections on the Battle of Midway from WWII Veteran, Colonel John F. Miniclier By John F. Miniclier, Colonel, USMC (Ret.) from Eastern Island for the battle. I counted During active duty I served in China, Japan, the floating Battalion in the Mediterranean, I was born July 23rd, 1921 in Duluth, incoming enemy airplanes and called in the Okinawa, Vietnam, and at stations in the Minnesota. On August 4th, 1940, I enlisted as a numbers to HQ. One of our airplanes was shot United States. I retired from the USMC on May Private in the Marine Corps and trained in boot down. The pilot bailed out but was machine- 1st, 1975. camp at San Diego. I was in the 6th Defense gunned in his parachute by an enemy aircraft. Battalion. I sailed on the USS Wharton. I Lt. Commander John Ford USNR, a famous My wife and I have four children: John, born on arrived on Sand Island, Midway Atoll on movie director, lived with us Marines Guam, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Army September 19th, 1941 as a Private First Class. quartered between the decks of the Power Corps of Engineers; Margaret, born in US This promotion resulted in a slight increase in Plant for ten days. He directed “The Battle of Naval Hospital San Diego, a Nurse Practitioner pay from the original twenty-one dollars a Midway” documentary film that included in California; Gordon, born in North Carolina month. We lived in tents; then after December authentic footage of the battle. at Camp Lejeune, a Dentist in Virginia; and 7th, 1941 we moved into position, and I lived Paul, born in Virginia at Fort Belvoir, a former I departed Midway Atoll May 1943 as a along the beach in a Quonset hut buried in the US Navy Diver, now a lawyer in New Orleans. Sergeant. In 1944 under the V-12 college sand. Wildlife was abundant, including the now There have been many highlights in my life. program, I attended University of Notre Dame, extinct Laysan Rail. We stood watch as the One of the most recent was being a guest of and later Colgate University. On April 3rd, albatross flew overhead. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on June 4th, 1946, I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. 2012 at the Battle of Midway National In May 1942 I was assigned to a searchlight On April 4th, 1946, I married Margaret Creel. I Memorial on Midway Atoll for the 70th position on top of the Power Plant Command was promoted on August 17th, 1949 to 1st Anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Center. The position held a good view of Sand Lieutenant, on July 15th, 1952 to Captain, and and Eastern Island. During the Battle of on January 7th, 1957 to Major. I graduated Want to learn more? Col. Miniclier shares his Midway, June 4th, 1942, I was on a 30-foot from University of Minnesota in 1961. On July experiences during the Battle of Midway in this wooden tower, which was direction control 1st, 1963, I was promoted to Lieutenant video, compiled by FOMA: https:// for the searchlight. I saw our airplanes take off Colonel, and on October 1st, 1968 to Colonel. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAmD00QHE4Q.

Left: The newly installed ABMC granite marker overlooking sunrise and the Inner Harbor at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial. Photo credit: Dan Clark/USFWS. Top right: Close-up of the mosaic artwork shows how the artists used colored glass imbedded in the concrete to create the imagery for the new Navy Memorial. Photo credit: Bret Wolfe/USFWS. Bottom right: Col. Miniclier shares his experiences during WWII at the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway at Midway Atoll. Photo credit: Pete Leary/USFWS. Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Fiscal Year 2015 Revenue FOMA Who we are and why your support matters

VISION Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge plays a pivotal role in the conservation and CONTACT US restoration of Midway’s natural and historic resources through financial and volunteer support, Join us online at: dynamic outreach and education, effective advocacy www.FriendsOfMidway.org in the support of Refuge programs, assistance in the development of an inspirational visitor program, and

Fiscal Year 2015 Expenditures productive collaboration with diverse partners. Find us on Facebook: “Friends Of Midway Atoll MISSION NWR” Founded in 1999, the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Email our President: organization whose mission is: Wayne Sentman “To support Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge / [email protected] Battle of Midway National Memorial in its efforts to preserve, protect, and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of Midway Atoll, while Drop us a note: providing opportunity for wildlife-dependent 6506 SE Clackamas Road recreation, education, cultural experiences, and Milwaukie, OR 97267-4217 scientific research.”

VALUES A total of $29,005 or 96% of expenditures went directly to helping Midway Atoll NWR in the areas of habitat restoration, wildlife  Focus on highest priority actions monitoring, and historical preservation. Major projects funded by  Be a voice for our members FOMA include a shadehouse for native plant propagation ($13,070),  Share science-based information professional compilation of a video of historical accounts from  Operate with integrity veterans of the Battle of Midway by ($1,800), and meals for Albatross Census Volunteers ($2,940).  Be accountable with our actions and resources

 Join FOMA to support essential FOMA Memberships Make Perfect Holiday Gifts! conservation and historical Winter is the time for reflection, a nation, past and present. preservation efforts on Midway time of giving. Consider renewing Over the past 16 years, FOMA your membership to FOMA—every Atoll NWR and Battle of Midway has contributed greatly to the dollar counts and helps to preserve National Memorial. conservation and protection of Midway Atoll National Wildlife  Become a Midway Atoll NWR Midway’s unique biological, Refuge and Battle of Midway National historical, and cultural resources. Volunteer! Check out all the Memorial. FOMA has aided needed efforts opportunities at: http:// Looking for a meaningful gift for the on the ground and in the field, www.fws.gov/refuge/ holidays? Buy a membership for a including more than $10,000 to Midway_Atoll/. friend, family member, or loved one! support the translocation of the  Talk to your state representatives Remember, sharing is caring! Pass world’s most endangered duck, and senators about supporting along your love and passion for the Laysan Duck (Anas the National Wildlife Refuge Midway this holiday season. laysanensis), to new refugia on Midway Atoll NWR. FOMA Wieteke Holthuijzen/USFWS System. Currently, the Refuge Joining is easy. Simply visit our continues to support volunteer System is funded at $474 million. website, select your contribution non-profit “Friends” organizations efforts, which are crucial to However, with an operations and level, and proceed through PayPal to that support NWRs just like Midway ongoing wildlife monitoring and maintenance backlog of $3.5 complete your transaction. Or print, Atoll NWR. These organizations are habitat management work, by billion and counting, the Refuge fill out, and send the membership vital to supporting the continued purchasing bikes for form on the next page along with management of operations of the System is vastly underfunded. To transportation and meals for the your membership fee. nation’s most expansive system of learn more, visit Laysan and Black-footed protected lands and waters, which www.RefugeAssociation.org Why give to FOMA? From a small, Albatross census counters each covers over 568 million acres. and www.FundRefuges.org. core group of 4 members in 1999, winter. the membership of FOMA has grown Contribute to our nation’s greatest  Share your passion with others! FOMA is part of a network of to over 460 members across the legacy: conservation.

Winter 2015 Page 10 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Your membership supports crucial ecological conservation and historic preservation of Midway Atoll NWR’s unique resources—join or renew today!

Wieteke Holthuijzen/USFWS

Friends of Midway Atoll NWR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Please fill out this application and mail (with check) to: Friends of Midway Atoll NWR 6506 SE Clackamas Road Milwaukie, OR 97267-4217

Or visit our website at http://www.friendsofmidway.org/membership/membership.htm and follow the instructions to apply for or renew your membership.

Name Membership Level: Address  WWII Veteran……………………………...Honorary

 Veteran……………………………………..$20.00 City  Student……………………………………...$25.00 State/Province  Individual……………………………………$35.00 Zip Country  Family……………………………………….$50.00

Email  Contributor………………….….……….….$100.00 Phone  Supporter………………………….…….….$250.00 or more

 Life………………………….………….……$1,500.00  New Membership  Donation……………………………..….…..$______ Membership Renewal

All contributions are tax deductible.  Donation Please make checks payable to: FOMA or Friends of Midway Atoll NWR

Winter 2015 Page 11