SYSK at Blackfive

On the one hand I hate writing these kinds of posts because it means a member of our military family has been severely hurt. On the other hand, I appreciate the opportunity to bring his story before the large military support community that hangs out here at Blackfive and supports our troops so well.

Kevin Whalen of Pundit Review Radio received an email from a fan of the SYSK segment we do there, talking about a friend of his who was recently badly wounded in Afghanistan.

Here's a portion of that email:

I am writing to ask your help in getting the word out to people about a good friend of mine, Massachusetts Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Kevin Dupont. Kevin was seriously wounded while serving in Afghanistan. On March 8, 2009, Kevin was riding in a convoy of vehicles in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border. Kevin’s Humvee was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device.

The blast destroyed the vehicle and turned it into a raging inferno. The driver, Army Private First Class Patrick Devoe of Auburn, New York was killed. Another Sergeant, Robert Perez, a member of the LAPD on military leave, was wounded and received 2nd degree burns.

Kevin was the vehicle commander and was stuck inside the Humvee as it burned out of control. After struggling, Kevin was finally able to open the door and jump out. A following vehicle stopped and I was informed that they had to use a fire extinguisher to put Kevin’s flaming uniform out. As a result of the explosion and fire, Kevin suffered 3rd degree burns to over 65% of his body including his face,hands and legs.

Kevin and Sgt Perez where immediately flown to an aid station in Afghanistan where they were treated and then flown to a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. In Germany, Doctors prepped Kevin and Sgt. Perez for an emergency flight to the US Army Burn Center at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Kevin was placed in an induced coma so that he wouldn’t suffer from the pain of the burns.

More at Blackfive.