Guardsman's Home Taken Care of by the In-Laws

Courtesy Photo | Master Sgt. Donald Hampton, of Greenville, S.C., poses in front a helicopter taking off. Hampton is with the 151st Field Artillery, South Carolina Army National Guard and will be returning to the United States after a 12 month deployment to Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.04.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - When he deployed to Iraq in October 2006, one South Carolina National Guardsman knew that there was still a lot of work to be done around his house over the next year.

Instead of worrying, however, Master Sgt. Donald Hampton, of Greenville, S.C., did what any father would do – he put his son-in-law and future son-in-law to work. His eldest daughter, Jenny, had married Joshua Porter in August 2006, and his middle daughter, Amber, is engaged to marry Bradley Bishop in November 2007.

"While I have been gone, Josh and Brad have had to fill in doing all my chores," he laughed. "I tell them it is just my way of saying, 'Welcome to the family!'"

Hampton also joked that although his youngest daughter, Heather, is too young to get married, she might have had to "get a couple of boyfriends" if there had been much more work to do.

All kidding aside, Hampton, who is part of the 151st Field Artillery Brigade, notes that, although the assistance of the men was greatly appreciated, his wife, Gail, and his daughters are all "very strong women" who can handle everything by themselves.

"They didn't have any problems when I deployed to Iraq in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II," he said, "and they were also great during this deployment."

Besides the sacrifices made by his family, Hampton said he is grateful for the tremendous support of his church, First Baptist Church in Mauldin, which constantly remembered him in their prayers, and sent numerous, "goodie-filled" care packages to be shared by all the Soldiers of the 151st FA.

After 28 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard, Hampton intends to retire from the military upon his redeployment home this month. In addition to attending Amber's wedding, Hampton is excited to meet his new grandson, Jackson Bramlett Porter, whose birth is expected just prior to his return.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2007
• Date Posted: 10.04.2007 11:51
• Story ID: 12707
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ