Local leaders mourn soldier’s sacrifice

Posted on April 28, 2017
Fallen soldier Josh Rodgers of Bloomington. (Photo from Josh Rodgers’ Facebook page.)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – State Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington will lead Illinois House colleagues in a moment of silence Friday to honor Bloomington soldier Josh Rodgers who was killed this week while fighting ISIS in Afghanistan.

“We as the Illinois House of Representatives stand with them and extend our sympathies, our deepest sympathies, for a young man who’s paid the ultimate price,” said Brady.

The Republican lawmaker also expects Gov. Bruce Rauner will reach out to Rodgers’ family, which governors typically do when Illinoisans die in combat.

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner expects the city council to adopt a proclamation for Rodgers, who graduated from Normal Community High School in 2013. Renner said Rodgers’ death is a painful reminder of the impact foreign policy decisions have on communities.

“This is real. This is a very young life that was taken from us, our community, our nation, our world,” the mayor said.

Renner said he will honor Rodgers’ memory Monday when he’s sworn in for a second term as mayor.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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