Chris Milchuck, Central Illinois Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator, speaks with Gold Star Mother Vonda Rodgers during a Survivor appreciation dinner in Springfield, Illinois, November 19, 2022. Vonda is the mother of Sgt. Josh Rodgers. Josh served as a Machine Gunner, Squad Automatic Machine Gunner, Gun Team Leader, and Ranger Team Leader. On April 27, 2017 during a combat operation in the Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan Josh's platoon conducted a special operations raid known as Isis-K stronghold. His platoon received intense enemy fire from all directions. Reacting to th

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Chris Milchuck, Central Illinois Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator, speaks with Gold Star Mother Vonda Rodgers during a Survivor appreciation dinner in Springfield, Illinois, November 19, 2022. Vonda is the mother of Sgt. Josh Rodgers. Josh served as a Machine Gunner, Squad Automatic Machine Gunner, Gun Team Leader, and Ranger Team Leader. On April 27, 2017 during a combat operation in the Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan Josh's platoon conducted a special operations raid known as Isis-K stronghold. His platoon received intense enemy fire from all directions. Reacting to this threat, Josh lead his team to cover even after receiving a gunshot wound to the leg and applying self-aid. Undaunted by his wounds Josh continued to lead his Rangers against the enemy until being fatally wounded. ( Army photos by Sgt. Trenton Fouche, Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard)

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Photo credit: © Operation 2022 / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: afghanistan, combat, families, gold, military, mother, outreach, ranger, star, survivor, veterans