Soldier returns home for birthday, birth of first son

A member of the National Guard's 1140th Engineering Battalion was granted 48 hours family emergency leave Wednesday to return home to Cape Girardeau, where he welcomed a new son born at Southeast Missouri Hospital. The baby's arrival coincided with the soldier's birthday.

Sgt. Tom Hammontree, 30, of Cape Girardeau was notified in the morning by the American Red Cross that his wife, Meredith, was in labor with their son, said his mother, Doris Hammontree.

The battalion is headquartered in Cape Girardeau. Sgt. Hammontree obtained leave from Fort Riley, Kan., and rode in a military van to Kansas City, where he was picked up by his father, Butch Hammontree, a retired National Guard sergeant major. From there, they drove back to Cape Girardeau and arrived at about 10 p.m.

Once there, he was introduced to his baby son, Hunter Thomas Hammontree, who was born at 3:20 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces. The two will have until Saturday morning to get acquainted before Sgt. Hammontree must head back to Fort Riley and prepare for deployment.

Birthday present

"He's awesome," the father said. "It's the best birthday present anybody could ask for."

Hunter was also welcomed by his big sister, Madelynn Eudy, 6.

Sgt. Hammontree is a combat engineer and has been in the Guard since 1992.

His military company will soon be deployed in Iraq and he isn't sure when he can visit Hunter again.

"That is still unclear at this time -- we're hoping for a mid-tour break," he said. "The situation over there will determine when I'll have a chance to come home. I look forward to seeing him again, whenever that might be."