After graduating New Bedford High School in 1964 Dan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965 where he trained as a helicopter mechanic and machine gunner. He served in Vietnam from April to October of 1966. Achieving two meritorious combat promotions. He was awarded the Expert Riflemen's badge, Combat Aircrewman Wings with 3 strikes, 4 Air Medals, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Legion of Merit and the National Defense Service Ribbons. He was honorably discharged and retired due to his combat disabilities sustained in Vietnam from the United States Marine Corps in February of 1967.

After his return from Vietnam he attended Southeastern Massachusetts University in Dartmouth, Mass. In 1972 Dan joined the Department of Veterans Affairs. During his career in government over 33 years he served 27 years with the VA at 11 VA Medical Centers through out the country from Massachusetts to California including a term in VA Central Office in Washington, DC. Dan retired from Federal service on July 31, 2002 with over 32 years of Federal Service. Receiving the Secretary of Veterans Affairs "Distinguished Career Award" from Secretary Anthony Princippi.

He was appointed by the New Bedford City Council on June 30, 2002 as the Director / Veterans Agent of the Department of Veterans Services for the City of New Bedford and started that position on September 9, 2002 a position he holds today. His years of government service included three in the United States Post Office from 1968 to 1972 as well as two years in the United States Marine Corps. He has been an Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator and a diversity facilitator for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a Civil Service Examiner for the U.S. Post Office. His last position in the DVA was as the first Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) # 1 Prosthetic Program Manager overseeing the VISN Prosthetic Consolidated Program for the entire New England Healthcare System (VISN #1) for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Which included 8 DVA medical center facilities. During his tenure in VISN #1 Dan was involved as the on screen co-host and the subject matter expert for the VA Learning Network television program from Washington, D.C. which was very successful in educating field staff with new computer technology for the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Program he co-hosted more than six two hour shows during this two year period.

For more than 19 years Dan has been involved in many public speaking efforts. He has been an annual participant over this time in the Brookline Public School system's "handicapped awareness program" speaking to over 200 fourth graders annually. He has also been an annual participant guest speaker at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and at Bridgewater State College speaking on the subject of amputations and prosthetic development from the personal and professional perspective. These presentations are made to post graduate students in Physical Therapy and Adaptive Physical Education students. Professor Joseph H. Huber, Ph.D. of Bridgewater State College has written recently "I wish you to know that I treasure your generous nature, community spirit, and fellowship. Bridgewater State College is most fortunate to have you as a dear friend."

Dan has received numerous private and public awards in 1996 he won the State of Rhode Island's Federal Executive Councils Employee of the Year award in the "Community Service" category. In November of 1999 he received the Veterans Transition House "Veteran of the Year" award for Southeastern Massachusetts. And was also selected as the "Man of the Year" by the New Bedford Standard Times newspaper for Freetown, Massachusetts in 1999. In 2000 Dan was awarded the Veterans Health Administration's "Scissors Award" along with five other workgroup members for their efforts in reducing waste in government with the development of time saving computer software.

On June 15, 2006 he was awarded "The New England Patriots Community MVP Award" at the awards ceremony he was presented with an engraved football trophy by Patriots owner Robert Kraft on behalf of the Kraft family. The Kraft family also awarded a $1,500.00 grant in Dan's name to the SE Mass Veterans Transition House for use by that organization because of Dan's efforts as a volunteer at that facility.

Dan has served as Surgeon, Post Service Officer, Junior Vice and Senior Vice-Commander of the Freetown Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6643 in Freetown, Mass. And currently serves as the Post Adjutant and as a Post Trustee. Dan was recently asked to participate as a member of the Freetown Memorial Park Committee working to develop a memorial Park in Freetown for veterans of all Wars, POW/Mia's as well as firemen and policemen. A Cobra Helicopter with 2 flagpoles was recently erected at the site on Chace Road in Freetown while work continues towards completion of this beautiful park. Dedication ceremonies are planned for 2007. Dan also enjoys riding his motorcycle trike riding as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders to honor families of those lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Transition House a position he has held since 2002 and was recently elected to serve as the Vice President of that Board. Dan is a very dedicated individual and works very closely with veterans and staff to resolve issues for veterans regarding their VA and Massachusetts State benefits. He is a highly regarded resource to many that know and work with him.

Dan lives in Freetown, Massachusetts with his wife Susan and their children a son D.J. and their daughter Bonnie. DJ is a senior at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, MA studying House and Mill where he excels and Bonnie is in her second year at Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA where she is majoring in Early Childhood development and plans to attend Bridgewater State College. He has two other children Christopher and Justin who are both married and have given him 6 grandchildren.