52 year old Sergeant First Class, Kevin Dupont is recovering from severe burns after his vehicle is attacked in Afghanistan. His hometown is paying tribute to this wounded warrior.

Drivers passing Chicopee City Hall, see a banner, honoring Sergeant First Class, Kevin Dupont.

"He was the go-to man," says friend Bruce Socha.

Kevin, a graduate of Chicopee High, was one of the few, one of the proud, putting in 8 years with the Marines, before joining the National Guard. It was a post he held for the last 20 years.

Kevin's been all over the world, but not because he was called to serve. It was always Kevin who stood up.

"He never got called out, he always volunteered," says Kevin's brother, Christopher Dupont.

And his missions were only for the bravest.

"A year in Bosnia, he volunteered for that tour there and always yearned for something even more challenging," Christopher says.

The last would be his biggest challenge. In Afghanistan, Dupont was right on the front lines dealing with IEDs. Improvised Explosive Devices.

"Trying to find people installing IEDs and trying to eradicate, IEDs," explains Christopher.

He left home in 2008 and was supposed to come back this fall.

"He's on our prayer list, but nobody ever thought anything would happen," Christopher says.

But then 3-8-09. A day that the Dupont family will never forget.

"His vehicle was hit with the explosion and there was some damage to the vehicle and he fought to get out," Christopher says.

It was a battle Kevin won. Surviving, but with burns over 65 percent of his body.

It was a battle he chose to fight.

Before heading to Afghanistan, Kevin turned down a promotion that would've kept him out of conflict.

"It would have made him too high a man to go into combat and he didn't want to leave his men," says his mother, Gwen.

Kevin, now in a coma, is at a San Antonio hospital undergoing various surgeries and skin grafts.

His family, back home in Chicopee, is staying strong, knowing Afghanistan wasn't just a mission, it was his life's mission.

"He followed his heart, it's what he wanted to do and it's what he did," Gwen says.

The road to recovery will be a long one. Doctors say Kevin will likely be in the Texas hospital for at least three more years.

Since he was admitted in March, thousands have shown their support, including former Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and Governor Deval Patrick.

If you would like to send a message of support to Kevin, you can write to him at:

Powless Guest House
B-3625
3298 George C. Beacg Road
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Room 313
c/o Lisa Dupont

Lisa, his wife, reads Kevin the cards each day.

You can monitor Kevin's progress at www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevindupont

Lisa updates the site frequently.