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View Full Version : Midway Opens June 7, 2004 - News From SDACM


Eagle3
04-16-04, 11:28 AM
From Adm Mixson -
www.midwaymember.kintera.org

Pre-Orders of First Book on Midway's History Benefit Museum
After two years of research and 308 Midway sailor interviews, Scott McGaugh's Midway Magic An Oral History of America's Legendary Aircraft Carrier will be on bookshelves across the nation in late June!

But you can order now and get your copies autographed! Proceeds benefit the museum and quantity discounts are available! Go to: www.midwaymagic.com and click on "Advance Orders" And spread the word to employees, friends and colleagues. It's a great way to capture a piece of history and benefit the museum and quantity discounts are available!

Sign Up for Midway Magic Membership
SDACM now offers a variety of memberships with a host of great benefits and values. Become a member today! Memberships start at $35 for seniors, $50 for individuals and $75 for families. Sign up online at
www.midwaymember.kintera.org and become a charter member of Midway Magic!

Midway Welcomes Local Business Leaders
Midway hosted the San Diego Chamber of Commerce for the first event aboard Midway. Chief Operating Officer Mac McLaughlin spoke at the breakfast and asked for the community's support. He called on area business leaders to
sponsor exhibits aboard Midway. McLaughlin previewed the museum's education program set for launch in September 2004. To request information on corporate sponsorship, please reply to sdacm@aol.com.

Artifacts Needed
Our collection of naval memorabilia continues to grow, but we still need your support! We are seeking the following items that will permit us to properly depict the F-4 and A-7 in a flying status for their respective exhibits:

Three flight helmets (HGU-33 type preferred)
Three oxygen masks
Three Nomex flight suits
Three flight suit harnesses

If you would like to donate one of these items email our curator at
USSMidwayCurator@cox.net

Kudos to Our Volunteers
A project like this does not enjoy the level of success we have reached without the dedication of a great group of volunteers. We have hundreds of individuals who have offered their time and talents to this project.

For those of you who have made the trek down to Harbor Drive to view the Midway, you have come into contact with many of these great volunteers. Each day a dozen or so volunteers greet pedestrians along the waterfront
as visitors stroll the Embarcadero between Seaport Village and the Star of India. During their sojourn visitors inquiry about the size of the ship and details on her crew. These volunteers are helping us build our initial base of members and educate folks from across the country on the grandeur of this modern marvel, the aircraft carrier.

The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donations can be mailed to:

San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

or visit us online at
www.midway.org

Eagle3
04-18-04, 08:42 AM
Release Statement (http://cv41.com/Midway_Opening_Release.html)

NEWS


USS Midway News Release
April 30, 2004

San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum

Contact/Interview Source: Scott McGaugh
Director of Marketing
Message: (858) 560-8924
Author of Midway Magic
(www.midwaymagic.com)

June 7-11: Midway Magic Launch Week
SAN DIEGO AIRCRAFT CARRIER
MUSEUM SETS OPENING SCHEDULE

SAN DIEGO - The Navy?s longest-serving and most
distinguished aircraft carrier will open as a floating
naval aviation museum near the birthplace of naval
aviation on June 7, 2004.

The ex-USS Midway will become the San Diego Aircraft
Carrier Museum, only the fifth aircraft carrier museum
in the country. The long-awaited museum will be at
910 N. Harbor Drive, alongside Navy Pier.

Navy ships have berthed at Navy Pier for more than 80
years, directly across San Diego Bay from where
biplane pilots pioneered naval aviation techniques in
the first decade of the 1900s at Naval Air Station
North Island.

A special ceremony will be held each day during Midway
Magic Launch Week. Although details have not been
finalized, each ceremony will be dedicated to a
specific theme.

"Thousands have expressed heartfelt interest in
participating in the start of Midway's newest mission
as the flagship of naval aviation museums," said Riley
Mixson, SDACM's Executive Director. "A week-long
celebration reflects the museum's commitment to
becoming part of the community."

There will be no additional admission charge for the
opening week?s festivities. Regular admission prices
will apply:
--$13 adults
--$10 seniors (62+); military ID; college students
with ID
--$7 youth (6-17)
--Free under six and active duty in uniform

Included in the admission will be an audio guide that
directs visitors to more than 30 exhibits on the
hangar deck, mess deck, flight deck and in the island.

"And that will only be the beginning," noted the
museum's Marketing Director, Scott McGaugh. "This
will be only the first phase of a constantly expanding
museum as visitors will have the opportunity to return
and participate in the museum's steady development and
expansion."

The museum's operating hours will be 10 a.m. to 5
p.m., seven days a week, major holidays excepted.

Paid parking will be available on Navy Pier, although
museum officials encourage visitors to Midway to use
public transportation. The trolley and Coaster both
stop only a few blocks from Midway at the Santa Fe
Depot.

Museum outfitting has been under way since Midway?s
arrival at Navy Pier in January. Work to date has
included construction of restrooms, a gift shop and
fantail café. Civilian-style stairs are being
installed between the hangar and flight decks.
Restoration of areas to be opened to the general
public is well under way. Museum officials also are
working on permanent solutions that will make the
World War II-era aircraft carrier handicapped
accessible.

Among the opening day features:
--multiple workspace exhibits;
--as many as eight restored aircraft representing
nearly 40 years of naval aviation;
--a focus on Midway as a "city at sea" with exhibits
in berthing areas, the mess deck, post office,
ordinance assembly area, and machine shops, among
others;
--multiple flight simulators;
--air operations exhibits on the flight deck, flight
deck control, and up in the island on the bridge and
in primary flight control; and
--and a docent program that emphasizes interactive
storytelling of Midway?s rich history.

Many of the docents are former Midway sailors who will
add a first-person touch to the Midway experience. In
addition, McGaugh has interviewed more than 300 Midway
veterans for the first book on Midway?s 47-year
odyssey, called Midway Magic, due in bookstores
nationally in June (sneak preview:
www.midwaymagic.com).

"Our goal is that Midway visitors will feel enriched
by their experience. It will be an educational and
enlightening experience that, above all, is fun.
Visiting and experiencing Midway will instill a deeper
understanding and greater appreciation for naval
aviation and service to country," said the museum?s
Chief Operating Officer, Mac McLaughlin.

The museum already has launched an annual membership
program and has begun signing corporate sponsors.
Interest in Midway has been overwhelming. Early
interest in Midway has been so great that the museum
has sold out its allotment of docent-led tours in June
and July and has reached its limit for after-hours
events in June.

A San Diego Union-Tribune poll revealed that 72
percent of its readers plan to visit the museum when
it opens. Several hundred meeting planners have
contacted SDACM about holding events aboard a carrier
whose service spanned the end of WWII and Desert
Storm. Volunteer "gate greeters" at the foot of Navy
Pier have handed out more than 20,000 brochures to
passersby since January.

The museum also is actively recruiting volunteers to
join hundreds of San Diegans who are helping with
aircraft restoration, ship restoration, exhibit
development, graphics production, and administrative
duties, to name a few. For a list of current
opportunities, visit www.midway.org/help/help.htm

The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to creating the flagship of
naval aviation museums. More information is available
at www.midway.org and by calling (619) 702-7700.

TetterkeT
05-23-04, 09:19 AM
Does anyone know if the Midway will be open 4th of July Weekend? If so, what are the times and will I be able to use the guest pass I purchased online?

Eagle3
05-24-04, 10:02 AM
Does anyone know if the Midway will be open 4th of July Weekend? If so, what are the times and will I be able to use the guest pass I purchased online?

Hi TetterkeT and welcome. I haven't heard that the musuem will be closed July 4th and kinda doubt it would be, but I'll check with Billntwrk. The commemerative ticket are good anytime after the grand opeing week. TTprince told me his says' they're not good for the opening weekend. I haven't verified that on mine yet.

Eagle3
05-24-04, 11:01 AM
Bill sez it will be open the 4th.

dylumph
05-25-04, 06:46 AM
My dad and I are leaving Thurs.(flying) and will be able to board her on Fri. the 11th of June. We were going to drive but, well look at the price of gas. I'm sooo looking forward to seeing the old girl. If anyones there on Fri. look for a couple hicks grinnin big. If you hollar Di-he lumph I'll respond. It sure wouldn't be the first time thats been hollard on those decks!

Eagle3
05-25-04, 06:55 AM
Hey Dylumph! TTPrince and I will be there. We should try to organize a meeting place and time. Unfortunately I don't know the schedule of events that day.

Rander
05-26-04, 08:58 PM
:) :D :cool:

11 and a wake up :laugh:

Looking forward to seeing all of you in San Diego! Hope you all find the Museum to be all you expect it to be.

:thumbsup:


Welcome Visitors to San Diego, America's Finest City!

dylumph
05-28-04, 06:07 AM
I never thought while serving onboard Midway that I'd ever wan't to see her THIS much. Its amazing! I really consider us lucky to get this opportunity. All the old sailors I meet have to face the fact that thet have probably shaved with their old ship.
This is gonna be so good for my Dad. Hes the coolist person I know and just having him around for this trip is , well its unexplainable! Hes a old Squid too.
By the way, I always wanted to go back to San Diago (a perfect locaton IMO) so theres a lot of birds knocked down with 1 stone!