Sabine Pass graduate Kevin David McLarty will soon welcome his first child into the world.

His trip to the hospital will be a long one - since he’s coming from Iraq.

McLarty is a sergeant in the Army and is currently on his second tour of Iraq. The son of John and Penny Benfield of Bridge City enlisted on his 18th birthday and left for basic training in Georgia just eight months later.

After being stationed in Fort Hood for several months, McLarty left for his first tour of Iraq. He was overseas for a year and returned home in November 2006.

While serving, McLarty had the experience to serve his country in Iraq with his brother, Kellen.

Four months after returning, McLarty asked his girlfriend, Cheyenne Goldman, to become his wife.

Cheyenne is sister of Lance Corp. Shane Goldman who died in April 2004. He was the first area soldier to die in the war.

In October McLarty and Goldman were married and 11 days later he left for training in California.

In June McLarty left for his second tour of Iraq. He will be in the war torn area for 15 months.

The couple is expecting their first child, Konner Brooks McLarty, on Sept. 30. McLarty will be able to come home for 18 days for his son’s birth.

McLarty’s family asks the community to keep the soldier in their thoughts.