North Adams, MA, US
U.S. Army
SPC, CO C, 1ST BN, 23RD INF REGT, 3RD STRYKER BDE COMBAT TEAM, JBLM, WA
08/16/2012, PANJWA`I, Afghanistan
Growing up, PFC DeMarsico was a beloved child. He was a talented athlete, played T-ball, Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball. And throughout his baseball career, his father, Michael DeMarsico Sr. stood proudly with his son as his coach. He participated in the North Adams Youth Football program starting in the peewee division and continuing through to the senior division. He loved nature and spent favorite moments outdoors at Natural Bridge State Park and on Mount Greylock. Michael’s family was the most precious thing to him.
PFC DeMarsico graduated from Drury High School in North Adams in 2010 and joined the Army in February 2011. He was an infantryman. Michael was one of five children. He had talked about enlisting in the Army for most of his high school years.
Laurie Douglas, PFC DeMarsico’s aunt explained that, “Ever since Michael was a little boy, he wanted to be in the Army. He was always playing with little toy soldiers and trucks. He wanted to be in the infantry.”
She added that PFC DeMarsico had written to his father and told him he recently accepted a position at the front of his unit to protect them from any bombs.
A candle light vigil was held in North Adams to honor Michael DeMarsico. The community gathered at Drury High School baseball field to honor this hometown hero. Rope letters spelling out MIKE were outlined on the field and people placed candles within the outlines to light up the letters. Hundreds of people came out to pay their respects to the 20 year old soldier. The DeMarsico family explained that Michael wanted to serve his country.
“We really wanted to pay tribute and say thank you. Thank you to him, thank you to his family, and just know how much we appreciate everything he gave for his country,” said friend Michael Reardon.
“There’s not one bad thing you could say about that kid. He was just, think as hard as you want. You’ll never find a bad thing to say about him. He was great kid, amazing soldier, he’s our hero. Bottom line, he’s our hero,” said another friend, Robert Grandchamp.
PFC DeMarsico was due to complete his tour of duty in December. He is the first North Adams native to be killed in combat since the Vietnam War.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” Irish saying