NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The annual “Up Front for DeMar 5k Run and 1 mile Walk”, an event to raise money for the SPC Michael R. DeMarsico Scholarship Fund will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8.

 

This annual event has grown every year and is a wonderful way to honor a hero and all veterans.

 

This year there will be a spaghetti dinner at the American Legion on Saturday, Nov. 7, and the 5k race and 1 mile walk Sunday. The dinner being held at the American Legion from 4 to 7 p.m. and is open to the community; all are welcome and encouraged to come.

 

In addition to serving as a means of packet pickup for runners, the dinner allows others to be involved and support the scholarship fund while honoring all veterans. One important part of the dinner is the POW/MIA table ceremony, something beautiful and sad and that should be witnessed and understood by all.

 

SPC Michael R DeMarsico was an American hero, a soldier and a hometown boy. Not only did SPC DeMarsico volunteer to fight for our country and our freedoms, he volunteered to be "up front," protecting his fellow soldiers. On Aug. 16, 2012, SPC DeMarsico was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan after finding 15 others and first saving his men.

 

In the days that followed, SPC DeMarsico's community came together to honor him, to welcome him home, to mourn him and to lay him at rest. Now the community can come together again to honor him and to raise money for the scholarship fund in his name. The funds raised provide scholarships to two Drury graduating seniors, as well as supporting youth sports and other community and veterans needs.

 

Early registration is encouraged and can be done at RaceWire.com or by obtaining a mail-in registration form from Olympia, Planet Fitness or the YMCA in North Adams, or by contacting race director Eileen Monyahan at (413) 212-0445 or emailing upfrontfordemar5k@gmail.com.

 

Spaghetti supper tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children or seniors and are also available online or by contacting the race director. 

 

This event is a great family event and also a wonderful way to continue to honor SPC DeMarsico, ensuring he is never forgotten and that his story is passed on to the next generation of young Americans. It also is an important reminder that there are far too many Michaels out there who have sacrificied so much and who continue to every day.