It was an honor to deliver remarks at the Shipbuilders Council of America Spring Membership Meeting. The shipyard industry is a cornerstone of America's economic and national security. Their work building, repairing, maintaining, and modernizing vessels is vital to the operations of the Navy, Coast Guard, and other government agencies.

World War II Veteran Roy Hodges was a senior in high school when he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. The teenager was following in his older brother's footsteps, and ready to get in the fight. After he completed basic training, Roy joined hundreds of his fellow service members on board the RMS Queen Mary destined for Scotland. The nineteen-year-old was eager to put his gunnery school training to good use on a B-24 bomber. "In service, my first mission was on my 20th birthday," Roy said. "Each mission, you knew someone wouldn't be coming back. Only God knew our fate. That can wear on you." 

In all, Roy flew 33 missions for the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF)—one of which was the most harrowing. "Our plane was hit by enemy fire. The plane began to spin and go into a nosedive. Men were bailing out, but I stayed with the pilot because I didn't know what was below us. Somehow, the pilot got the plane straightened out and told me to throw everything off the aircraft to lighten our load. I even threw debris off the plane that had caught fire, avoiding a potential explosion. Somehow, the pilot found a field to land the plane, and we walked away unharmed," Roy added.

When Roy returned home, he married Jean Storey, settling in Ripley. The couple raised three children. Roy also raised 36,000 pullets a year while working as a dispatcher and firefighter for the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

After 65 years together, Jean passed away. Ten years ago, Roy married Rachel, and the couple enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

It was a privilege to meet with Roy when he visited Washington, D.C. 2024 is a big year for him. On November 9th, Roy turns 100!

We are pleased to introduce our summer intern Avery Priest. The Saltillo native is a student at Mississippi State University, where she is a Marketing major. "I am a part of the American Marketing Association, which played a major role in my initial interest to work for a congressman," Avery said. "Furthermore, I wanted to experience the legislative processes firsthand."

For more information about internships in our Washington and First District offices, please visit TrentKelly.house.gov.

University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Joe Paul

Homebuilders Association of Mississippi

Ambassador of Cyprus, Evangelos Savva

Bart Robinson, Oxford Chief Operating Officer, Hollis Green, Development Services Director, and Robin Tannehill, Mayor