On March 8, 2009, SFC Kevin Dupont was commanding a HUMVEE in Afghanistan. Three days later he was lying in a bed at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, with 3rd degree burns covering 65% of his body plus internal burns in his lungs, fighting for his life. His wife, Lisa, was at his side. His vehicle had hit an IED, resulting in the immediate death of the driver, Army Private First Class Patrick. Another Soldier in the vehicle, SGT Robert Perez, received 2nd degree burns. Both Perez and Dupont were transferred to Brooke. Perez recovered; Dupont did not.

On June 17, 2009, at 0914 EST, SFC Kevin “Ironman” Dupont succumbed to the wounds suffered just over three months earlier.

During those three months, Kevin endured multiple, almost weekly, surgeries. Most involved skin grafts; some involved amputations of his burned fingers. Many times Lisa was told to prepare for his passing… yet somehow, Kevin survived. Every day she would update Kevin’s CaringBridge page, telling us about the successes- and trials- of the day. The staff at Brooke nicknamed him “The Ironman”, because he seemed invincible, even though Kevin was the 2nd most severely injured patient they could remember treating. They gave Lisa three extra months with her husband- even though he was in a drug-induced coma most of the time. They all tried so hard. So very, very hard… and we all prayed, so very, very hard… but it just wasn’t enough this time.

Kevin served two tours in the Marines before joining the Massachusetts National Guard. His wife, Lisa, is a Boston police officer and member of the Massachusetts National Guard as well, once serving as an MP on a tour in Iraq. This is a family of patriots and heroes who are now down one.

So make a hole, get ready for a toast, and pull up an extra chair. We just sent a good man to Fiddler’s Green.

Rest in peace, Kevin. Our prayers, support, and sympathy go out to your wife, Lisa, and the rest of your family.  SFC Dupont's CaringBridge webpage is available by clicking here.