LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - A central Kentucky soldier killed in crash received a special tribute Wednesday night, as his remains returned to the Bluegrass.
Thirty-one-year-old Kenneth Barker died in a crash in Alabama last week, not far from where he was stationed.
The Bourbon County native served three combat tours in Iraq and Afganistan and received 28 medals during his time in the Army.
Barker leaves behind a wife and two young boys.
"We all want to be remembered as a loving father to our kids, and our wives, but he's a hero," family friend Scott Napier said.
Barker's flag-draped coffin arrived on a plane at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington late Wednesday night.
Family, friends, and members of the Patriot Guard were on hand to salute him.
"We're sad. But we're also very proud of him, and what he accomplished," Barker's aunt, Kim Mayer, said.
Visitation for Kenneth Barker will be on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Southland Christian Church in Jessamine County.
The funeral will be on Friday at 11:30 a.m., also at Southland Christian Church.
The burial for Barker will have full military honors at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville.
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