By Friends of Midway Atoll board member Pam Repp
As the former manager of the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial Manager in 2022, I had the privilege to get to know Battle of Midway veterans Rev. Hodges and Sgt. Ed Fox. They both arrived on Midway June 5th, 2022 so we could acknowledge and honor them during the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway events held on Sand and Eastern Islands.
All who resided on Midway, approximately 40 people, and the flight crew who transported our guests were immediately and deeply taken in by Reverend Hodges and his fellow veteran Sgt. Fox. The two became immediate friends despite the U.S. Navy vs U.S. Marines rivalry.
We hung on every story and every joke. We stopped what we were doing to listen to Rev. Hodges play the harmonica. We chuckled at the banter between Rev. Hodges and Sgt. Fox. We were captivated by Rev. Hodges experiences during the war and his life since then. Rev. Hodges had an easy smile, was humble in life’s achievements, loved his family, carried a deep sadness for those who were lost, but maintained a calm and positive outlook on life that was contagious.
I was honored to meet Rev. Hodges, we all were. He and all who fought in the Battle of Midway will never be forgotten
