Ashford soldier remembered 1 year after death in Afghanistan - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

The Ashford community is remembering the life of a fallen soldier. Wednesday marks the one year anniversary of the death of LCPL Jason Barfield. The Ashford native was killed in Afghanistan.

Barfield's parents, Ray and Kelli Barfield, say it feels like just yesterday when they got the devastating news. A year later, they say they are continuing to cope with the loss of their son and work to carry out his mission. 

LCPL Jason Barfield was just 22-years-old when he was the victim of a triggered boobytrap in Afghanistan. Officials say Jason saved at least 5 other Marines by pushing them away from the area before the explosion took his life.  

This week his family and friends will pay tribute to his sacrifice and all the other military men and women who paid the ultimate price.

"It's hard to believe a year has passed. I remember everything we were doing up to 1 that afternoon. That's when everything changed," said Kelli Barfield. "Jason and so many others have paid the ultimate price for all of us."

The service will also honor LCPL Barfield by kicking off the toys for tots campaign.

"This is our way of keeping Jason's memory alive and fulfilling his dream since he can't be here to do it himself, continued Kelli. "He always wanted to help others."

"He wanted to give back to the community any way that he could," stated Mike Walton with the Toys for Tots foundation. "Toys for tots reaches out to underprivileged kids throughout the wiregrass area. All money and all tots raised in the wiregrass, stays in the wiregrass." 

They are asking everyone to bring a toy to the service. The service will be on Saturday at the Ashford Depot starting at 9. The program is called "Every Day is a Good Day".

His family says that was his favorite expression and he lived his life by that expression. There will also be a candlelight vigil to mark the one year anniversary on Wednesday. It will start at 7:30 at the Barfield's residence, located at 801 Main Street in Ashford.

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