Illinois House proclamation honors Sgt. Rodgers

Posted on May 29, 2017
Josh Rodgers was killed during a fight against ISIS in Afghanistan.

 

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House members observed a moment of silence last week in honor of Army Ranger Sgt. Josh Rodgers, 22, the Normal Community graduate who was killed last month during a raid on an Islamic State compound in eastern Afghanistan.

State Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington read a proclamation which the House adopted honoring Josh’s sacrifice.

“Josh loved his country, his family and friends and the military, and especially his fellow Rangers and his regiment,” Brady said. “Josh knew his purpose in life was living out his dream.

“Josh was and forever will be a warrior, tenacious, humble, determined and supportive. He was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him.”

A part of the Rodgers family was unable to attend because the miliary was holding its own memorial at the same time at Fort Benning, Georgia, where Josh and another fallen ranger trained before their deployment to Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

The House holds a ceremony annually to honor Illinois’ fallen soldiers.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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