By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – In the midst of grief, an expression of gratitude from the father of fallen U.S. Army Ranger Josh Rodgers. Just two days after his son was laid to rest, Kevin Rodgers personally thanked Bloomington’s mayor and aldermen for their tribute.

The city’s proclamation, he said, was especially meaningful because Josh was part of this community. And, local government is a pillar of the democracy for which Josh gave his life.

“Assemblies like this, the freedom to make choices. Thank you very much, I appreciate it,” said Rodgers.

“Thank you, bless you,” Mayor Tari Renner responded.

Alderman Jamie Mathy described the sense of pride he felt by the community’s outpouring of respect and honor shown to the Rodgers’ family.

“There were thousands and thousands of American flags all along the route,” said Mathy. “There were thousands of people standing and being respectful in every direction that I looked,” Mathy also said.

Rodgers’ alderman, Mboka Mwilambwe called the 2013 Normal Community High School graduate a “true American hero.”

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]