Family members watch as a military honor guard carries home the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua P. Rodger at Central Illinois Regional Airport on Friday, May 5, 2017, in Bloomington, Ill. Rodgers was killed during a raid on an Islamic State compound April 27, 2017, in eastern Afghanistan. A celebration of life will be held for Rodgers this weekend. (David Proeber/The Pantagraph via AP)
The Associated Press
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - A celebration of life will be held this weekend for a 22-year-old soldier from central Illinois who was killed in Afghanistan.
The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports (http://bit.ly/2qIVtDZ ) public visitation for Sgt. Josh Rodgers of Bloomington begins Saturday morning at Eastview Christian Church in Normal. Afterward there'll be a celebration of life, followed by a procession at 2:30 p.m.
Police say the public won't be allowed to take part in the vehicle procession, but individuals are encouraged to show support by standing along the route.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has ordered flags at half-staff until sunset on Saturday in Rodgers' honor.
Rodgers and another soldier were killed last month as a result of small arms fire in Nangarhar Province, which borders Pakistan. A third soldier was wounded.
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Information from: The Pantagraph, http://www.pantagraph.com
Family members embrace as a military honor guard carries home the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua P. Rodger at Central Illinois Regional Airport on Friday, May 5, 2017, in Bloomington, Ill. Rodgers was killed during a raid on an Islamic State compound April 27, 2017, in eastern Afghanistan. A celebration of life will be held for Rodgers this weekend. (David Proeber/The Pantagraph via AP)
The Associated Press
Family members embrace as a military honor guard carries home the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua P. Rodger at Central Illinois Regional Airport on Friday, May 5, 2017, in Bloomington, Ill. Rodgers was killed during a raid on an Islamic State compound April 27, 2017, in eastern Afghanistan. A celebration of life will be held for Rodgers this weekend. (David Proeber/The Pantagraph via AP)/The Pantagraph via AP)
The Associated Press