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HILLSBOROUGH – Hundreds of family, friends, and fellow soldiers gathered Wednesday to remember the life of a Fort Bragg soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Spec. Josiah Crumpler

Spec. Josiah Crumpler, 27, died when his patrol was attacked March 1.

"[He was] always giving, always willing to serve,” family friend Cliff Nixon said.

Nixon knows the Crumpler family from Abundant Life Church in Hillsborough.

"We knew that he would be good soldier. We never expected him to have to make the ultimate sacrifice,” Nixon said.

He was part of the 82nd Airborne's 4th Brigade Combat Team. Crumpler received full military honors at the service in his hometown of Hillsborough.

"When something like this happens, your heart just goes out to the family immediately because it's such a tremendous loss,” Nixon said.

Crumpler leaves behind his wife Shana and two children in Hope Mills. The couple had got married in August, just before he deployed. Now the community is working to help fill the loss.

"He's made his mark in the community. People love him. The outpouring of support has been amazing,” said Keith O'Neal, pastor for the Crumplers at Rivers of Living Water Church in Fayetteville.

At the service, his siblings and parents described his willingness to serve and his faith in God. They take comfort knowing he died serving the nation with honor.

"Gave his best for his country. Loved his family,” O'Neal said.

"I know he's there with the Lord now,” Nixon said.

Crumpler was buried at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Princeton.

Spec. Matthew Huston, 24, of Athens, Ga., also died in the attack.