Resolute Support honors DynCorp International contractors killed in Kabul attack

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Kristine Volk | KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 9, 2015) Kate Valentine, DynCorp International advisor, speaks to coalition troops during a memorial to commemorate colleagues that died from an attack on their convoy Aug. 22 in Kabul. Richard McEvoy, Corey Dodge and Barry Sutton were civilian contractors from DynCorp that served on the protection detail for the advisory team for the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police under the NATO-led mission Resolute Support. The Destille Garden was packed with those paying their respects including senior leaders from RS, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan, the U.S. Embassy - Kabul and DynCorp. (U.S. military photo by Lt. Kristine Volk/Released)  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.11.2015

Story by Lt.j.g. Charity Edgar 

Resolute Support Headquarters

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN—Resolute Support honored three DynCorp International contractors with a memorial ceremony on camp headquarters Sept. 9.

Richard 'Dick' McEvoy, Barry Sutton and Corey Dodge were killed when their convoy was attacked by a car bomb in Kabul. Hundreds of Resolute Support personnel gathered to pay tribute to the three men who were working in support of the Afghan National Army/Afghan National Police Advisor and Mentor Program. All three were veterans of the U.S. military.

“Everyone here knows deployment isn’t easy. There are long hours, a tough separation from loved ones and constant vigilance in dangerous conditions. Yet the hardest day is when we lose one of our own. And on Aug. 22, we lost three,” said Maj. Gen. Todd Semonite, commanding general, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. “Contractors, Department of Defense civilians, American and Coalition forces—we all work together here. It is one team; one fight. And to lose three dedicated members of this team has been truly devastating.”

DynCorp International leadership flew into Kabul to pay respect to their fallen colleagues.

“These men were true patriots. They dedicated their lives to service and were making a difference on behalf of their country,” said Lou Von Thaer, chief executive officer, DynCorp International. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues during these difficult times.”

McEvoy, Sutton and Dodge were honored individually by colleague Richard Munsey, who spent extensive time with all three in Afghanistan. He highlighted their roles at DynCorp International, but focused on their personal accomplishments and the families the three men left behind.

The ceremony included a bugler playing taps, a final salute to McEvoy, Sutton and Dodge, and their legacy in Afghanistan. Maj. Sean Wead, chaplain, honored the three men in a closing sermon.

“What sort of men sacrifice the comfort of home and family for those who are oppressed? What sort a men risks all to serve and protect in the name of justice?” asked Wead. “I’ll tell you what sort of men, men like Corey Dodge, men like Dick McEvoy; Men like Barry Sutton. Men of courage, men of dedication, and most of all, men of hope. These men embodied hope for other people as soldiers, police officers, and DynCorp International employees. They embodied a hope for a better Afghanistan.”

• Date Taken: 09.11.2015
• Date Posted: 09.11.2015 04:44
• Story ID: 175672
• Location: KABUL, AF
• Hometown: KABUL, AF
• Hometown: CALHOUN, GA, US
• Hometown: DEXTER, ME, US
• Hometown: PEACHTREE CITY, GA, US
• Hometown: THE PENTAGON, DC, US