Amber Siratt

Welcoming home a loved one who has been away is always special. But welcoming home a loved one who serves our country is always extra special.

On March 6, United States Army Master Sergeant James Edward Lumpkin had the opportunity to come home, to the Kern River Valley, on leave for a short visit. Master Sergeant Lumpkin, who has served 20 years in the Army fighting for our country, is preparing to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This will be his fourth tour to the region. Master Sergeant Lumpkin enlisted in the Army shortly after graduating from Kern Valley High School in 1988. He is currently serving with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C. During his military career, Master Sergeant Lumpkin has completed tours to South Korea, Panama, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. To prepare for oversee deployments Master Sergeant Lumpkin has trained at the US Army training centers in Mississippi and at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin located in Bartsow, Calif. In addition to deployments and training, Master Sergeant Lumpkin has completed many schools in the Army including Army Ranger School, where he graduated fourth in his class and Army Airborne School where soldiers train to become paratroopers.

“The family, including his grandma LaRue Boring, sisters Ruth Ann and Kathy, and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews are very proud of him. His wife and two children support him all the way. He is loved by everybody,” said his proud mother Donna Lumpkin, who resides in the valley.