The Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian, 27, of Abington, Mass., died Dec. 23, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Time is 20:13 on December 25, 2013. The 'Dignified Transfer' return home of fallen hero from Operation Enduring Freedom | Afghanistan | Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian

Left to right: Senior Ranking Officer: Brig. Gen James W. Lukeman, Commanding General, 2d Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps. Distinguished Visitors: Master Chief Petty Officer Russell W. Folley, Command Master Chief, 2d Marine Division, U.S. Navy. Capt. Brent Adams, of the 1/9 Remain Behind Element Officer in Charge. Dignified Transfer Host: Col. Thomas A. Reppart, Commander, 436th Mission Support Group, Dover Air Force Base, DE, U.S. Air Force. Chaplain: Chaplain (Maj.) Matthew Boarts, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover Air Force Base, DE. U.S. Air Force.

After Chaplain Matthew Boarts has said some prayers for Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian the host party departs the aircraft.

Marine Corps carry team carries transfer case of Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian to the mortuary transfer vehicle

All returning service members are considered as "believed to be" until they can
be confirmed through finger prints, dental records and/or DNA. After a service member has been identified and prepared for return to their families, they are placed in a casket and transported to their final resting place. This process is a Solemn event; not a ceremony.

Marine Corps carry team places the transfer case of Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian into the mortuary transfer vehicle.

A dignified transfer is the process by which, upon the return from the theater of operations to the United States, the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle and then to the port mortuary. The dignified transfer is not a ceremony; rather, it is a solemn movement of the transfer case by a carry team of military personnel from the fallen member's respective service. A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country. A senior ranking officer of the fallen member's service presides over each dignified transfer.

Transfer vehicle guide Airman Travis T. Beebe closes the doors to transfer vehicle.

The Final Steps, Mortuary vehicle driver starts engine, and Security Forces vehicle moves into escort position in front, Transfer vehicle begins to pull away, Dignified transfer officer orders final “Present, Arms” and “Order, Arms” (slow salute) as vehicle departs, Carry team follows (by walking) transfer vehicle, with the transfer vehicle guide walking behind the carry team, Dignified transfer officer and senior ranking officer follow (walking) behind the transfer vehicle guide, ending the dignified transfer.

“Daniel was born and raised in Abington, Mass. and was considered by most as the mayor of this town,” wrote his sister, Jeannine Vasselian. “He was the life of any party and brought humor wherever he went. He was truly amazing.”
This was his third tour and [he had] already served in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Jeannine Vasselian said. “He was so proud to be a Marine and serve his country and paid the ultimate sacrifice and this world truly lost an amazing hero. He’ll be missed more than words can express and loved by his family and friends forever.”