Educational Activities

Journal Entry
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September 1, 2003
Monday (Labor Day)

Today was an AWESOME day! We got to be part of a great and rare event. At 8:00 a.m. we docked at Midway Atoll. It is so special because few people ever have the opportunity to visit this location. Midway Atoll has a special place in our American history and our environmental future. Midway is a tiny oasis on the North Pacific in which the most historic and important sea battle in the history of the U.S. Here is a little of what I learned today about Midway. I hope you enjoy it!

During WWII, the Japanese had the naval advantage over the United States because of this they could choose when and where to attack. Commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto moved on Midway to try to draw out and destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s aircraft carriers. His plans were to knock down Midway’s defenses and establish a Japanese air base. However, Yamamoto did not plan with American communications intelligence and their findings of his plans. The U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, planned an ambushed by having his carriers ready and waiting for the Japanese. On June 4, 1942, with perseverance, sacrifice, skill, and even luck, the Japanese lost four irreplaceable fleet carriers, while only one of the U.S. carries was lost. The Japanese advantage had been lost and the U.S. soon took the lead. Midway base was damage but it remained operational and later became an important vital component in the war.

Now, Midway Atoll is no longer a naval base. Presently Midway is a National Wildlife Refuge that is run by the Fish and Wildlife Refuge of the Interior. Their number one job is wildlife preservation. Midway is home to Monk Seals, Short-tailed Albatross, and Green Sea Turtles. These species are endangered and/or threatened. We got to see the sea turtles and the seals while we snorkeled and hiked the atoll. We had to stay at least 100 feet (31 meters) away from these animals because of their delicate existence. Unfortunately, we did not see any albatross because it is not their mating season.

One thing I came face to face was the effects of water pollution. I have known it exists and I do my part to avoid being a polluter; however I had never been exposed to its results as I was today. I saw the remains of birds after they eat plastics that we humans discard on the ocean and rivers. Bags, lighters, bottle caps, toys, and even toothbrushes could be seen in the decaying stomachs of these animals. Pictures of seals and turtles wrapped around nets washed on the white sandy beaches were displayed in their museums. I could not believe the cruelty that these animals suffer due to the irresponsible actions we sometimes choose. There is no doubt that I enjoyed this truly unique and fragile ecosystem, but I am glad that I was given the opportunity to see this abuse and to try to pass this knowledge on. We left Midway at 4:00 p.m. today and we are going to steam all night to get to station 10.

Mrs. Dora A. Leal

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