April 29, 2003 – There were fond memories and wishes for peace at Carnival in abundance Monday evening as friends and family joined in remembering former V.I. Carnival Committee chair Gerald E. Hodge Sr., for whom this year's village, "Gerry's Place," is named.
Hodge died two weeks ago and was buried on Friday, but for many of those taking part in the Village opening ceremony, he clearly was still very much among them.
Mistress of ceremonies Lillian Moolenaar said she felt the presence of his spirit. His oldest son, John Hodge, said "the old man" had the best seat in the house. Kenneth Blake, current Carnival Committee chair, shared the comforting knowledge that the honoree had known the village was to be named in his honor.
"When we decided to honor him, he was part of the process, and I knew he wanted this," Blake said.
The ceremony began with the national anthem and "The Virgin Islands March," both played by the Territorial Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra under the direction of John Hodge. When the time came for the family to represent the honoree, it was John Hodge who spoke. "I know my father worked very hard for many years. He didn't just earn this yesterday," he said of the Gerry's Place designation.
The many tributes offered reflected Gerald Hodge's community status. Glenn "Kwabena" Davis, a Carnival Committee member, read a poem he had written in Hodge's honor. Hodge's sister Gloria Davis spoke about his last action on behalf of Virgin Islanders as he joined her in filing a lawsuit over health insurance coverage.
Perhaps the most touching tribute, however, came not in words but in material form: "Gerry's Humble Beginnings," the winning entry in the village booth decoration contest. Fashioned of wood shingles with curtains and shutters at the windows, it also features a rocking chair on the porch with a quilt draped over the arm and a teapot on the counter. An airbrushed portrait of Hodge hovers atop the roof, flanked by brightly painted moko jumbies.
"Since it was Gerry's house, my friend came up with the idea of shingles, because he was from Savan, and that's how the houses were made," booth operator Delrise Francis said.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said Hodge had a productive life well spent in public service. He also recalled the honoree as a peaceful, friendly man who loved Carnival.
"Gerry would want us to enjoy ourselves in the best Virgin Islands tradition, with friendliness, laughter and wit, which was his tradition," the governor said.
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