Jason Barfield

Jason Barfield, a Marine serving in Afghanistan, was reported killed yesterday.  I knew him through M.  Her niece Joyanna was dating him, and he stayed in our home on one of his final weekends in the States.  It's really terrible news, and brings the cost of the war home in a very real way.  Jason was a sweet kid with a commitment to family and his country.  He was 22 when he was killed.  I only knew him for a little bit, but he did have a kindness to him that carried over into meeting with virtual strangers.  He also seemed innocent, and like most twenty-somethings was still figuring out what kind of person he was going to be.  He was polite to a fault, respectful, and willing to serve -- it was his "job," he said, to go to Afghanistan.  He didn't seem to want to make a fuss about it.  It was a privilege to know him, and my heart is more than a little heavy since hearing the news.  He was a Christian, so we have that assurance that he is in a better place.  Pray especially for Jason's family and for M's family, who were close to him in many ways.