Courtesy Photo | Maj. Donald Sauls, from Lake City, S.C., poses for a photo next to a 1st Cavalry...... read more read more
Multi-National Division – Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - When a South Carolina Army National Guardsman deployed for Iraq in 2006, his two-month-old son, Garrett, weighed just over 10 pounds and was a quiet baby who gurgled in his crib.
Now, 12 months later, Maj. Donald Sauls' Garrett now weighs more than 26 pounds and babbles baby talk as he walks across the floor in their Lake City, S. C., home. As his unit, the 151st Field Artillery Brigade, prepares to redeploy home in October, Sauls wonders if his son will recognize him when he comes home.
"It is crazy how much actually changes in a year," he said.
Besides Garret, Sauls is longing to see his wife, Kelly, and their other two sons, Logan, 16, and Cody, 4.
"Leaving my family was definitely the hardest part about deploying," he said. "I felt especially bad leaving my wife alone with the responsibility of caring for three children."
Although he knows it was very difficult for her at times, Sauls notes that his wife never once complained and has always been completely supportive of his deployment.
"She has been simply incredible," he said. "I could not imagine doing this without her."
Sauls said he was impressed with the maturity displayed by Logan, who helped his mother care for his two younger brothers.
"He really stepped up to become the man of the house and shouldered a lot of responsibility for his age," he said.
While deployed in Iraq with the 151st Field Artillery Brigade, Sauls worked as the assistant fire support coordinator for the 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. As the supervising officer, Sauls tracked enemy rocket and mortar attacks and oversaw the artillery counter-fire missions for the 1st Cavalry Division.
Despite the difficulties of deploying, Sauls admitted that he took "immense professional satisfaction" in finally putting his 20 years of Army training to practical use.
"I am definitely eager to be home," he said, "but I am also extremely proud to have served my country."
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2007 13:24 |
| Story ID: | 12648 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 35 |
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