Sgt. Josh Rodgers and a fellow Army Ranger, Sgt. Cameron Thomas of Kettering, Ohio, were both killed by small arms fire while battling ISIS in Afghanistan last week.
The parents of the fallen soldier from Bloomington-Normal want you to know they’re OK.
The Army Ranger’s father, Kevin Rodgers, said he told his wife he did not envision his son becoming a combat leader.
“He was the quietest kid,” Rodgers told WJBC’s Patti Penn and Maria Henneberry. “I can remember telling (mother) Vonda, ‘I think he’s going to be a follower, and we’ve got to watch out who he’s hanging out with, he’s a quiet kid.’ Obviously, he showed us he could be a leader.”
Sergeant Rodgers’ mother said she and her family are broken, but are at peace.
“I can say with complete confidence he was living his passion, he was living out his dream, he was a team lead involved in planning and strategy,” Vonda Rodgers said. “And he’s with Jesus.
The Rodgers say they don’t need financial help from the community, and suggest investing instead in local sports programs that develop youths. They also welcome prayers.
“There’s power in prayer,” Vonda Rodgers said. “Thoughts and prayers to our family, to Josh’s friends. It’s impossible for a mom and dad to lose their son, and it’s just as impossible for a 22-year-old to lose their best friend. It’s not supposed to happen. Sisters aren’t supposed to lose brothers, grandparents aren’t supposed to lose grandchildren. So, definitely, I think thoughts and prayers.”
The family scheduled a public visitation for the 2013 Normal Community High School graduate Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m at Eastview Christian Church, prior to the start of a celebration of life service at the church.
The public will be invited to line the streets for the procession that will begin after the service at Eastview Christian Church, at 1500 N. Airport Road in Normal. HERE ARE THE ROUTE DETAILS:
Bloomington police announced details saying it will start at the church at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, following a celebration of life service.
The procession, escorted by marked squad cars from local police agencies will move south on Airport Road, west on Empire/Route 9, and weave through town on Towanda, Washington, Clinton, and Oakland…then to Lincoln, Wright Street, and Miller, into Evergreen Cemetery. That’s where another favorite son is buried, former Illinois Governor, Presidential candidate, and UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson.
Intersections along the 8 1/2-mile route will be blocked, and residents are invited to line the streets to offer support for Rodgers’ family.
Burial for Josh Rodgers at Evergreen Cemetery will be private and the cemetery will be closed to the public from 1 p.m. until 6 p-m Saturday.
Earlier, the military announced Rodgers’ remains will return to his hometown Friday morning at Central Illinois Regional Airport. A ceremony will be held there at 10 a.m. for the casket’s arrival.
Thank you to WJBC’s Howard Packowitz and Greg Halbleib for these stories.
