Lance Corporal Travis Layfield joined the Marines ten days after graduating high school. He was deployed to Iraq seven month later. Layfield worked up the ranks quickly, rising to Lance Corporal and radio operator. His dreams of becoming an officer and traveling the world were cut short when he was killed by hostile fire in Anbar province, Iraq after volunteering for a mission.

Travis was very comfortable in his own skin. At school dances he would dance with several girls at once because he never wanted anyone to feel left out. He also could be quite a jokester, often making people laugh and having fun. Travis had a huge heart, was full of life, and loved it to the fullest.

Travis fathered a child he never knew. The family found out about his son, Dylan, two years after his death. His ex-girlfriend always thought she would have time to tell Travis. Dylan, now 20 years-old, has been a huge part of the family’s lives. “It is a bitter-sweet story, but we are very thankful and blessed for Dylan, my Grandson,” recalled Travis’ mother, Dianne Layfield.