Mayor Lori Blong recently praised a book from the World War II Army Air Force Training Command in Midland, highlighting the role of Midland Army Airfield during the global conflict.
In an October 2 Facebook post, Blong said that she received the book from Kenneth Frank Hodson, Jr., whose father, Kenneth Frank Hodson, Sr., was a trained aviator sent to Midland for additional training. The elder Hodson was on his second mission out of the Mariana Islands when his plane disappeared over the Pacific on November 29, 1944, while en route to bomb Tokyo.
Blong mentioned that the younger Hodson believes Midland is the rightful place for the book. She described it as more than just a historical artifact but also a personal story of service and sacrifice that connects generations of the Hodson family to Tall City’s history. The mayor noted that plans are underway to make the book accessible to Midlanders, with further details to be provided by the city in due course.
She expressed gratitude to Kenneth F. Hodson, Jr. for entrusting the book back to the community and acknowledged the Hodsons for their service to the nation.