Today our walk was dedicated in honor of:
Army SGT Joshua P. Rodgers, Age 22 of Bloomington, IL.
KIA Apr. 27, 2017 during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
SGT Rogers was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia.
Rodgers was a team leader with C Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, out of Fort Benning, Georgia. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan, according to an Army bio. The Normal, Illinois, native enlisted in 2013. Following infantry school, airborne school and Ranger selection, he joined his unit in May 2014.
Josh attended Northpoint Elementary, Kingsley Junior High and Normal Community High School. After graduating from high school in May 2013, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, as an infantryman. Following completion of the Basic Airborne Course, Rodgers was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 1, also at Fort Benning.
He graduated from RASP 1 and was then assigned to 2nd Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as a machine gunner, light machine gunner, gun team leader, and Ranger fire team leader. While serving our country, Josh deployed three times to Afghanistan, earned the coveted Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle. He was also awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. Posthumously, Sgt. Rodgers was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star medal with Valor.
We had a great 5.95 Mile walk today. We walked by Holiday Hills Lake and then walked by the Military Memorial Museum on our way to the War Memorial Park down town. We read several names on the Memorial Wall and then before heading home we made a stop in the Frost Cemetery to visit some of our Fallen Brothers. It was a great morning. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 191 honks. It was amazing. Thank you.
Army SGT Joshua P. Rodgers will not be forgotten !
