From Mothballs to Magic: The Amazing Rescue & Restoration of the USS Midway Museum

USS Midway Members gathered at yet another terrific and emotional Live the Adventure presentation entitled “From Mothballs to Magic: The Amazing Rescue & Restoration of the USS Midway!" This event highlighted the years and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours that it took to get the USS Midway Museum where it is today. From idea to reality, hear from some of the key players in getting the Midway "ship-shape" and transformed into San Diego's #1 attraction!
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ABOUT MIDWAY
The USS Midway Museum is a historic naval ship museum and the most visited ship museum in the world, comprised of over 60 exhibits and 30 aircraft. Midway is located at 910 N Harbor Dr. San Diego, CA 92101. Learn more & check out our exhibits here: www.midway.org/
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EVENT
March 2018
From Mothballs to Magic: The Amazing Rescue & Restoration of the USS Midway! [Member Event]
USS Midway Museum

[@gameboy228]

I was on the Midway today leading a tour as a DC (Docent Candidate) volunteer. I love this ship! Its history is anything but "Pedestrian", it's an incredible museum and I am proud to know that I will soon be a full Docent onboard this incredible museum - as an unpaid volunteer. I am NOT a veteran, I'm a civilian son of a Navy veteran that has a love of history and a great respect for our military and our history.

[@derekj5991]

1979.. I first came aboard Midway in P.I. I was 18 y/o. I grew up on that ship. I learned and grew on that ship .. I love that ship. I'm glad she is here..I did visit her.. And everytime i hear about her and when i stepped on her when she opened as a museum to re live memories , a flood of emotions overcomes me.. She will always be "My ship" "My Navy"...

[@kcirmusic1]

I know exactly where you're coming from John.

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service and support, John. We are so honored to be a part of this ship because of Midway Sailors like you!

[@nikkiderringer]

My dad served on the Midway. I've heard stories my entire life and so wish I could see it in person, but I doubt I'll ever make it out to California from Tennessee. I'm so glad there are videos of the tour for people like me who don't get to travel much. But if I ever do make it to California, I'll be visiting the Midway!

[@kcirmusic1]

OA Division from May 1974 through June 1976. I could not be more proud and humbled to have served my country aboard this great lady. I also thought I'd never see her again but I returned 40 years later in 2015 for the 40th anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind. I can't begin to describe how wonderful, humbling and emotional that ceremony was for me. I actually got to meet and talk with some of the South Vietnamese refugees that we helped rescued. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that keep her maintained and an equally huge thank you to all those folks that have given their time and money to rescue and restore this still proud ship.

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for leaving us this message, Rick and many thanks for your service. It is memories and experiences like this that make the USS Midway Museum crew so very proud to work aboard this historic vessel. Midway Magic! :)

[@s.31.l50]

USS Midway is one special ship, thank you all for keeping her alive!

[@anthonysuttles6118]

Proud to have served aboard that wonderful ship from Feb. 1982 - Feb. 1984. Aviation Electrician Mate VA 93.

[@jackforrestel807]

It's wonderful to see the success of the USS Midway Museum. I first came aboard in March of 1971 and made some life long friends during the next three and a half years, leaving the ship in Yokosuka, Japan in August of 1974. I thought I'd never see her again, but in the late 1990s, I saw an L.A. Times, article stating that a group was trying to bring the Midway from Bremerton to San Diego, and thought, that's a crazy idea, but dug deep and sent them a hundred dollars. It was one of the best investments of my life. I've been onboard four times since with my family and former ship mates and have a real connection to my, `old neighborhood'. Thanks for all your hard work. I'm sure I'll be back!

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for being a part of that relentless & giving community that helped get us here, and thank you for your service. We hope to welcome you aboard soon!

[@ricklovejoy6365]

Jack, i also got on Midway Dec 71 and left Aug 74, i think you and i left the same time and probably on the same flight home , I was a MM 3 in #1 engine room and group. Kind of funny seeing this post of your's, hope your going to make the reunion in May, see you there, Rick

[@henrycota7261]

Hey Jack forrestal are you the one that was in B division oil shack?

[@Nescit_Occasum]

Thanks for providing this informative video. As a former Midway sailor (CVIC 87-89), I look forward to the day I walk her decks once again.

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

W look forward to that too, Jeff. Thank you for your service!

[@ApacheBob41]

80-83 CVIC

[@jamesmikelson450]

18 year old flying to Tokyo and waiting for the Midway ... wow, what an experience. Spent 76 and 77 on her and can never forget

[@punkybauer1]

I love the way the ship is now! It is only going to get better!

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you, Lennda! Hope to have you onboard soon :)

[@henrycota7261]

I was on her March of 1971 to October of 1972 I did two tours of duty to Vietnam during that time she was a great ship and she still is. I will have to go someday to visit her again before I pass away I can no longer drive the distance I will have my daughter take me. I was in B division Oil and Water Shack.

[@gaser1087]

The OLD GIRL didn't look like the rust bucket you showed when I left there in 1973. We kept her LOOKING GOOD. I was in the DECK DEPARTMENT - SIDE CLEANERS - 4TH DIVISION - ( HEAVY 4TH )!!!! The Captain ALWAYS RECOGNIZED HEAVY 4th for keeping the MIDWAY LOOKING GOOOD!!!!

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service. You should see her now! :)

[@wiltfarms65]

Midway Magic!

[@outlawd1]

Outstanding jobs, stories , my question is how does anyone prevent rusting underwater salty water ? Is the midway in a type of drydock ?

[@peterbroughton7111]

God ! I hate it when I see people bad mouth the people or things that fought to give them the right to say such garbage. I am from Canada one of the freest countries in the world. I thank God every day for the Men and Women throughout the world who stand guard to keep it that way.

[@rogerracimo8789]

I came aboard in 1981 first shop #1 aircraft elevator H/P and L/P compressor shop moved to the hydraulic shop in #2 aircraft elevator until I departed her in 84 she was the best ship I served on hoping to go back and see her next year

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service, Roger! Looking forward to welcoming you back aboard your ship!

[@TheDarrin10]

my home from 1986-1989 , the last time i seen her was in 1998 in Bremerton Washington

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service. We would love to welcome you home soon! #PermissionToBoard

[@MacDaddyRico]

ICFN Electric Gyrocompass Technician, 1978-1980...

[@BrianPatronie]

VAQ-136, CVW-5, 1982-1984. Now tell me why I don't see any NF's on those aircraft?

[@tryithere]

Because the guy with the grey paint got carried away?

[@ricklovejoy8349]

71-74, M-Div , #1 engine Rm.

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service!

[@mestengo22]

Spooks division circa 85-6

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service!

[@noahmeme2]

Why didn't they keep it in Washington state?

[@juliawronkowska5859]

😍

[@ApacheBob41]

My home 80-83

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you for your service. Have you been back to visit us yet?

[@TPaine1776]

Was mine 82-85

[@randbarrett8706]

“a homeless person found their way onto the ship, got drunk, and slept in a bunk… so we had him arrested immediately”

[@Dirtdaddy58]

VA-115 1978-1980

[@ussmidwaymuseum41]

Thank you, Midway Sailor!