I was about 5 years old when we arrived on Midway Island. At that age, I had no clue what a huge move this was. My memories of this time in my life are all wonderful. Unlike most, my childhood was extraordinary and I am so fortunate. The residence of the island were all military, mostly Navy. It was like a large family. There were evening softball games, where everyone would come and bring lawnchairs to sit and watch. While all the kids, like myself, ran around and played. It was a time of freedom and innocence. I didn't know of any world issues, I didn't know of any despicable crimes or just how cruel the world could be... I was 5, living on a little island in the Pacific, barefoot and running wild. What a time to remember...

The 4th of July was always a BIG "to-do". Large metal trash cans filled with ice and soda's and beer.. Orange Crush was my favorite and Olympia was Dad’s favorite beer at the time. There were the usual hot dogs and hamburgers and chips, etc.. The biggest, best fireworks I have ever seen were there on Midway Island.

Everyone rode bikes, bikes were referred to as "horses". My horse had blue fenders with white daisies and a big banana seat. Mom had two big baskets on the back of her horse, just like saddle bags for groceries. The folks that had the big people tricycles were probably the rich folks.. haha.. or so I thought. Note: Riding your horse against the wind was not fun, but if you were lucky enough to have the wind at your back... you were zooming along effortlessly.

I remember waiting patiently for my Dad to come home from work. I would stand in front of my house with my mask, snorkel and fins. As soon as I saw him coming.. Boy!! I was excited and began begging him to take me to the beach to go snorkeling. Then there was the infamous "Sand Hill". The name says it all, it’s a BIG hill of sand. Once you have climbed to the top, you are on the beach. There you will see crystal blue water, with the whitest sand I have ever seen. I still love the feeling of sand between my toes.

My brother and sister are older than me, and I am sure their view of this time may be a little different. It seems there were precious friends made while on Midway that have since been lost in the shuffle of being a Navy family.

I remember one Easter egg hunt. I had a pair of red overalls on, nice ones at that... they of course were bell bottom. The flare at the bottom of the pants had embroidered an outline of a southern bell, with the big hoop skirt. They were beautiful. As I run to search for eggs, my sister is over on the side yelling at me.. "over there, over there", trying to point out eggs to me. I don't remember how many I found or even what was in them, but what I do remember is the hunt.

Halloween had to be one of my favorites... still is... We had like a big screened in area at our house, sort of a garage type thing. We had our big freezer there as well as miscellaneous things you would keep in a garage. Every Halloween, the area would get cleaned up and decorated for the night of tricks and treats. We had a ghost made from a basketball and a white sheet. It was set up on a pully system, so it would move up and down. There was fishing string attached to make like arm movements. Then the black light!! Ewww.. spooky!! But the best part was the stero system. It didn't play one of those cassettes of spooky noises, they didn't even have cassettes back then. My Dad had made some spooky sounding tapes with his reel to reel. He would bring that out and set it up, with his reverb, to make echoing sounds. Then he would begin to talk to the kids that happen to be coming for tricks and treats. Inviting them in with his most errie sounding, echoing, deep voice. He would say, "Come in little boy/girl and get some candy" then followed up by his evil laugh.. It was great!! Our house was a must to stop by and visit on Halloween night.

My Mom was a professional cake decorator at the time. She must have made more birthday cakes in the years we lived there than she has made her whole life. She was good. My favorite thing was to watch her decorate cakes... and stick my finger in the frosting bowl when she wasn't looking.

The wildlife on Midway was something very few will ever get to experience. The Great Albatross, aka "gooney bird".. they were everywhere!! I mean everywhere, they would have to shoe them off the run way from time to time. The Fairy Terns... watch out or you might get a present dropped on you. There was also the red-tailed tropic bird, and the red-footed booby. Little yellow canaries fluttered all over the place. Protected animals that some will never see, but the eyes of a little 5 year old girl was fortunate enough to see and live with them for years.

From time to time, my parents would go fishing with a friend of theirs who owned a boat. They would bring home wahoo or tuna, cut it into steaks and we would toss it on the grill. I remember one time my Mom had caught a Wahoo and a Lemon Shark was trying to get the wahoo as they were trying to get it in the boat. Someone was smacking the shark with a paddle while others pulled the Wahoo up over the side. My brother would go diving and bring back longusta, and we would toss it on the grill. I didn't know how good I had it... Now I crave the fresh fish, (tossed on the grill).

My parents had another couple (the Everettes), they would get together with and stay up late, drinking a few beers or rum and coke, playing pinochle. That was fun for me as well.. because there were always snacks around and they had a son named Joey that I had a crush on. I would try to hang around the table where the adults were playing and after they would get tired of me, they would run me off. There was always a good game of hide and seek or freeze tag going on outside , especially during the summer. (NO SCHOOL!)

Christmas at my house was always a major holiday. Mom would make tons of fudge, rum balls, and we can't forget the fruit cake!! Nothing like having the Everettes come over to play cards with the fruit cake and rum balls.. haha... As with most kids, Santa was coming to our little part of the world. I remember one Christmas eve, it was around 7-8 pm.. there was a knock at the door. My mom called for me.. OH MY!! It was Santa, my eyes couldn't believe it. I stop dead in my tracks and turn to run up the stairs to jump into bed. We all know Santa won't come and bring you presents if you are awake. It took some coaxing to get me to come back down the stairs, but I finally did, just as soon as I was reassured that he was still going to deliver presents later that night after I went to bed.

We had a beautiful fake tree that we used for years and years. Looking back, maybe it wasn't such a quality tree, but for the 1970's it was awesome. Especially after you have covered it will what seemed like thousands of ornaments and even more icicles.

Things I still wonder about:

What was a big bush that grew all over the place? I would tear off a bunch of stems and use them for pompom's like a cheerleader.

What were those nuts? We would collect them and play war and throw them at each other, but you darn sure didn't want to get hit... ouch!

Were the fireworks really that great, or was I just that small?

Of all places, in all of the world, we saw "Jaws" living on the island. I remember seeing the movie "Jaws" for the first time at one of the clubs. I think it might have been the chiefs/officer club. We were guests and usually not allowed in there. Going swimming after seeing Jaws was a challenge for next several weeks. Still love that movie!!

Some of our family time was spent searching the beaches. Scanning over the waves in search of a fishball.. just hoping to hit the jackpot!! I remember finding my first fishball!! Like a prirate on a treasure hunt!!

My favorite teacher was Mrs. Weaver. I was fortunate enough to have her for first grade and third grade. Every morning we all gathered at the front of the school, saying the Pledge of Alligence, singing the Star-Spangle Banner, and saying a prayer to start our day.

I never thought how much of an impact living on Midway would have on me and my views as an adult... Sometimes I just sit back and smile....its nice to know its still out there.

Krista Warren Waldee

Midway Resident 74-77

~Peace out~
Krista