Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan A. Taylor

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan A. Taylor, 22, of Jacksonville, Fla.

LCpl Taylor was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Dec. 1, 2009 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 22-year-old Marine killed in Afghanistan last week was laid to rest Wednesday.

Family and friends gathered to say a final goodbye to Lance Cpl. Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor, who joined the U.S. Marines after graduating from Wolfson High School, was killed in the Helmand Province on Dec. 1 by an improvised explosive device. He was attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines out of Camp Lejeune.

Taylor was two months into his second tour in Afghanistan. His personal awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a certificate of commendation.

"He had the biggest heart," said Justin Wilson, who knew Taylor since middle school. "Whenever anyone needed anything, Jonathan would volunteer himself."

"Jonathan Taylor always knew the right thing to say and when he needed to say it," said Sgt. Jonathan Davis, who also knew Taylor since middle school. "He always could calm any situation down."

Wilson and Davis said they were best friends with Taylor but thought of him more as a brother.

"He's been talking about going into the Marines ever since I've known him," Wilson said. "So he's actually one of the few people I know that lived his entire life the way he wanted to."

Friends and loved ones gathered graveside, remembering Taylor's love for God, his family and his country. Even though he's gone, they said his service and his spirit will never be forgotten.

"I know he would want everybody to celebrate the fact that he did walk the Earth and celebrate the fact that he did what he wanted to do," Davis said.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan A. Taylor was killed in action on 12/01/09.