ABINGTON, Mass. (WHDH) — An estimated 1,000 mourners came to St. Bridget's Catholic Church on a snowy Thursday to pay their respects to fallen hero, Sgt. Daniel Vasselian.
The 27-year-old marine leaves behind his wife and high school sweetheart Erin, his parents and three siblings.
The young marine was buried with honors at the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Abington; the town where Vasselian grew up, graduated high school, fell in love and then went off to war.
“It’s an honor to come up here and see him and his family. And obviously, sad, but we try to look at the good times we had with him also,” said Sgt. Ambros Bandy, friend of Sgt. Vasselian.
Vasselian died in Afghanistan two days before Christmas when he was ambushed as he got out of a Humvee. He was on his third tour of duty.
At the wake on New Year’s Day another large crowd gathered to pay their respects.
“He was a good leader. He was a good example. You didn't even have to know him too well to know that he was… He had a presence. He had character. He had values,” said Michael Ayers, friend of Sgt. Vasselian.
Vasselian's name will be permanently etched on that war memorial. At the funeral, his widow spoke, talked about his courage and his great personality; something that everybody who knew him loved.
Governor Patrick and Senator Warren were also in attendance.