June 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. It proved to be a turning point of the War in the Pacific. As the years pass, the voices of those who lived through that fateful battle have become few. But their memories remain sharp, and the lessons they share are just as powerful as ever.

Though the battle itself was waged hundreds of miles out to sea, a tiny atoll halfway between America and Japan played a critical role. Today that atoll is a national wildlife refuge, conserving a dazzling assortment of wildlife and habitat. And today and every day, we honor the service of our veterans.