Days after the Chicopee native's death, his family watches at Westover Air Reserve Base, as his body is flown home.

With a flag draped casket, First Sergeant Kevin Dupont returns to his boyhood home. But this is not the greeting anyone wanted. Mom and Dad watch from a distance as their son's body is lowered off the chartered jet, and carried to a hearse.

"He was the epitome of the citizen soldier who served his nation," says Major General Joseph Carter, of the National Guard.

Kevin, the most decorated Western Mass veteran to have died in war, in recent memory, fought the battle of his life. Dupont gave decades to the military, serving for the last 20 years. First as a Marine, then as a National Guardsman.

"This is a tremendous loss for the National Guard and for his family," Carter says.

He was on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was in, ran over an IED, improvised explosive device.

That was in March.

The injuries he sustained, left him in a coma, to spend his last months in San Antonio, his wife by his side. Kevin died from his injuries last week.

He was awarded the bronze star moments after his death. He was promoted to First Sergeant, days after.

"He is in my estimation, he is one of the ultimate heroes," Carter says.

The hero is back at home, his final resting place. A return news cameras could film. During the Bush administration, filming fallen soldiers returns were denied. That was dropped by the current President. The decision is left in the families hands.

"I think it's a very healing gesture for this to take place, for you to be here, to share it with the community. Especially, the Chicopee community," Carter says, referring to the media.

If you would like to pay your respects to Dupont, his wake will be at Chicopee High from 1PM to 8PM Thursday, and his funeral will be at his alma mater, Holy Name at 10AM.