Dignified Transfer of Lance Cpl. Ross S. Carver 9/5/2010. 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.

Military officials said a North Carolina native has been killed in combat in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced on Monday that 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Ross S. Carver of Rocky Point, N.C., died Sept. 3 while in combat in Helmand province. Carver was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune.

Arrival at Aircraft
Carry team boards aircraft Dignified transfer officer, senior ranking officer and chaplain board aircraft. Dignified Transfer Officer: Colonel David Wuest, Special Assistant to the Commander, 436th Airlift Wing, Dover AFB Senior Ranking Officer: Lt. Col. Carl C. Henger, Executive Officer, Marine Barracks, Washington DC., U.S. Marine Corps Chaplin Lt. Col. Douglas Arendsee, U.S. Air Force

Chaplin Lt. Col. Douglas Arendsee, U.S. Air Force says a prayer as the Marine carry team bows their heads over the transfer case containing the remains of Marine L\Cpl Ross S. Carver of Rocky Point, NC.

The transfer case containing the believed to be remains of Marine Lance Corporal Ross S. Carver of Rocky Point, NC is placed at the end of the loader ramp upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, DE on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010.

The transfer case containing the believed to be remains of Marine Lance Corporal Ross S. Carver of Rocky Point, N.C. is placed at the end of the loader ramp upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, DE

Marine Honor Guard from Marine Barracks, 8th and I, Washington, DC prepares to move the transfer case.

The K-loader has been lowered and awaits the Marine carry team.

Dignified transfer officer orders “Present, Arms” (slow movement salute)

The Marine carry team carries the transfer case of Marine Lance Corporal Ross S. Carver of Rocky Point, NC to the transport vehicle.

Carry team moves transfer case into the mortuary transfer vehicle

Transfer Vehicle Guide Senior Airman Christy Edward-Batts slowly closes the doors of the transport vehicle.

Dignified transfer officer orders “Present, Arms” (slow movement salute)

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

Brandy Carver's husband L/Cpl. Ross S. Carver was her prince charming. The two were high school sweethearts, and got married in March of 2008 after Ross completed Marine boot camp. "We got word when I was about four months pregnant that he was going to be deploying to Afghanistan and my heart sank." Ross was there when Brandy gave birth to their son. Then Ross shipped out. Her prince charming had been killed serving his country. Before he died, Lance Corporal Carver sent Brandy a collection of pictures and video messages for their baby boy. I'll miss him until the day I die and I will always make sure that his son knows who he is, what he did and I will make sure that his son is proud of him." Brandy Carver works as a family readiness assistant, helping other military wives who lose their husbands in the war. Now she has to go through it herself.