Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Robert Rodgers was remembered as a dedicated soldier who was devoted to his wife and three daughters whether at home or in the Middle East.

Rodgers, who was 29, died May 30th with four other crew members when his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan where he was deployed the day his youngest daughter was born.

More than 600 people attend the soldier's funeral today which was held on the softball field at Douglas High School where Rodgers was graduated almost ten years ago to the day.

Rodgers' wife Casey attended the service along with daughters, Madison, seven, Autumn, three, and two-year-old Ashlyn.

Chief Warrant Officer Cesar Lariano, a member of Rodgers' unit from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, recalled that Rodgers' youngest daughter was born on the day the unit was deployed. Rodgers was given a chance to return home, but said he could not put his wife and children through the separation again.

Lariano said he will never salute the flag without thinking of the crew which perished on May 30th.

Greg Knight, News 4

There is a planned public memorial for the latest Northern Nevada soldier to die in the line of duty.

The family of Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Rodgers wants to give the public a chance to honor his life and service.

The memorial is scheduled for this Sunday at 10 am at Douglas High School in Gardnerville.

The public is invited to attend.

An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died from injuries sustained when his CH-47D Chinook Helicopter crashed near the Helmand Province, Afghanistan Wednesday.

Chief Warrant Officer Joshua R. Rodgers, 29, of Carson City, Nev. was a CH-47D Chinook Helicopter Pilot with the 3rd General Aviation Support Battalion (GSAB), 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 82nd Abn. Div.

Rodgers joined the Army in April 2000. He completed Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2003.  Rodgers completed the Rotary Wing Aviator Course, the Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course, and the CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course in 2004 at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

He arrived to the 82nd Abn. Div. in February 2007 and was assigned to the 3rd GSAB, 82nd CAB as a CH-47D Chinook Helicopter Pilot.

Rodgers' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

Rodgers is survived by his wife, Casey L. Rodgers, of Sanford, N.C.; his daughters, Madison, Autumn, and Ashlyn; and his mother, Deborah J. Walker, of Carson City, Nevada.

Also killed were: Chief Warrant Officer Christopher M. Allgaier, 33, of Missouri; Staff Sgt. Charlie L. Bagwell, 28, of North Carolina; Sgt. Jesse A. Blamires, 25, of West Jordan, Utah; and Sgt. Brandon E. Hadaway, 25, of Valley, Alabama

Members of B Co., 3rd GSAB, 82nd CAB held a memorial service for the fallen Paratroopers in Afghanistan on Saturday.

Rodgers' is survived by his mother and stepfather who live in Carson City. Both are at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, comforting their daughter-in-law and Josh's three young daughters.