Audubon H.S. grad among D.C. victims

Martin Bodrog lived his dream.

At Audubon High School, he twice made the National Honor Society. He played varsity sports in his sophomore year. In 1977, his senior year, he was among an elite group of young students accepted to the Naval Academy.

On Monday, Bodrog's decorated military career ended tragically at Washington's Navy Yard, where he was among 12 people shot dead that morning by 34-year-old Aaron Alexis, a civilian employee.

Bodrog was 54 years old.

The Navy commander retired in 2003 to work as a civilian senior analyst for the Navy. He was a husband and the father of three daughters. He was also the youngest of five siblings who spent much of their childhood in South Jersey.

Julius Bodrog, 65, of Washington Township, recalled Wednesday his fear that his brother was among those killed when "Marty" had not responded to two e-mails or to voice messages left at home and on his cell.

"I just said to my wife I just feel like I'm all beat up inside. Something's not right," Bodrog said, his voice cracking. He called his sister-in-law, Melanie. She was nervous but hoped her husband simply did not have access to a phone.

About 11 p.m., Melanie Bodrog called Julius after federal authorities had been to the family's home on a cul-de-sac in Annandale, Va.

On Wednesday, the family spent the day making final arrangements for Martin Bodrog, whom they remembered as much for his remarkable military career as for his gentleness with toddlers in his Bible study class.

"By day, he was a naval warfare officer, and on Sunday mornings, his greatest challenge was teaching 3-year-olds," said the Rev. Stephen Holley of Immanuel Bible Church, where Bodrog was also active with a youth outreach program.

On Saturday at 2 p.m., the church will hold a celebration of life service. Burial is planned for Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. The ceremony has not yet been scheduled.

"We have lost a great volunteer in our church ministry," the pastor said. "He was kind, sweet, and gentle with an engaging smile that drew you in. He was a big guy, but his size was never an intimidating thing."

In Sunday school, Holley recalled, Bodrog knelt to be at eye level with the children. On the church website, the pastor recalled when a father arrived to pick up his son but did not have a security wristband. Bodrog blocked the door until the child's mother arrived - with the band.

Later Bodrog joked, "I was only following orders!"

Julius Bodrog, who stands 5-feet-11, said his brother towered at more than 6 feet tall in high school. The two wrestled at times, "and I think he would intentionally let me win."

By his sophomore year, Martin Bodrog was permitted to play some varsity games at Audubon High School. In his junior and senior years, he started on the football and wrestling teams.

Among memories listed in the school yearbook for "Bods," who then lived on Ward Street, is the sentence, "He will always remember the Football Championship ('75-'76)."

Born in Woodbury, Martin Bodrog lived for a while in Massachusetts with his family, including three sisters, before they returned to South Jersey. In Massachusetts, Bodrog played ice hockey and became a fan of the Boston Bruins.

He was known for his smarts.

Gay Moceri, 63, a former Audubon teacher, recalled having Bodrog in her freshman English class.

"It's a horrific loss for the nation and for all these families. Obviously, when you know someone, it hits close to home," said Moceri, who retired two years ago as principal of a Cinnaminson school.

She put her hands to her heart and choked up when talking about Bodrog.

"Forty years in the business, there are a lot of students that cross your path, and some just stand out," she said.

When she realized Bodrog was among those killed in Washington, she said: "I felt like I got punched in the teeth."

She and others recalled Bodrog's quick wit.

"He was a quiet boy in the classroom, but when he opened his mouth and that joke came out, it was just always perfectly timed. He would reduce everyone to total laughter."

Jack Kinner, 66, a former wrestling and football coach at Audubon, said he had worked with Bodrog and another notable student, Joe Flacco, who went on to become an NFL star.

"Joe and Marty were from the same mold, just super kids, very dedicated, hardworking kids."

In high school, Bodrog had his sights on the military and was among an elite group of students recommended by congressional representatives to apply for military academies.

Had he not displayed high academic honors, leadership skills, and a strong moral character, he would not have made it through the screening process, former Gov. James J. Florio said.

Then a congressman who represented the district covering Audubon, Florio recommended 10 applicants a year to attend service academies.

"He had to be a really good student to make it even through the first screening threshold," Florio said Wednesday, noting that only a few nominations were accepted each year. "We would have looked at his leadership skills . . . and we would have looked at his contributions to society to see if there were selfless acts."

Julius Bodrog said his brother epitomized "a friend in need, a friend indeed." He remembered his brother was awestruck after meeting his wife-to-be at a Rhode Island military installment where she worked as a Navy nurse.

Their oldest daughter, Isabel, 23, is a professional photographer and graduate of Liberty University. His middle child, Sophie, 17, is a high school senior and accomplished ballerina who performed in the Nutcracker in Washington. She was born while Martin Bodrog was stationed in Japan. Their youngest, Rita, 16, is a junior who runs cross-country and rows.

Although there were 11 years between them, and at times thousands of miles, Julius said he remained close with his brother. In the 1990s, while stationed in Sasebo, Japan, on the amphibious transport dock Dubuque, Martin Bodrog received a cellphone from his captain to test out.

"When I got to work that morning, he called from Japan. I told him that it must be an expensive call and he told me not this time. He always did those kinds of things when he had the opportunity," Julius Bodrog said.

Years ago, Martin Bodrog received his pilot's license and was trained to fly small aircraft. One year while in Audubon visiting his now-deceased parents, Julius Sr. and Rita, he took his brother on a Cessna ride.

Julius Bodrog said that he recalled his mother's fear when they left, and that she was still nervous even after they safely returned. Their mother's concern was enough to make his brother stop flying, he said.

By then, her son had served with the Navy. He was stationed at locations throughout the country and abroad, working on amphibious docks. His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals and four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals.

As a civilian, Martin Bodrog was involved in making sure the military had the needed equipment, and he was instrumental in the design of amphibious warships that carried Marines and supplies worldwide.

Jeff Prowse, a close friend of Bodrog's and family spokesman, said Bodrog cared deeply about his family, friends, and country.

Prowse worked with Bodrog at the Pentagon on amphibious vessel programs. Julius Bodrog said his brother transferred from the Pentagon to the Navy Yard in January.

Monday wasn't the first time Julius said he feared for his brother's safety. He reached out during 9/11 when terrorists crashed a commercial jet into the Pentagon.

When asked how his brother should be remembered, he thought for a moment.

"He's a hat trick, plus."

Age: 54.

Date Commissioned: May 27, 1981.

Rank/Date of Rank: Commander / July 1, 1997.

Retired: May 31, 2003.

Awards and Decorations: Meritorious Service Medal (2); Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4); Navy Unit Commendation; Navy Expeditionary Medal (2); National Defense Service Medal (2); Southwest Asia Service Medal (2); Humanitarian Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (6).EndText