In Greenfield, a show of patriotism, support for fallen N. Adams soldier

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Crowds lined Route 2 in Greenfield late Wednesday morning to pay their final respects to Private First Class Michael DeMarsico , a soldier from North Adams who was killed in Afghanistan.

A motorcade carrying DeMarsico’s body passed the flag-holding crowds lining Route 2 on the way to North Adams. Pockets of supporters have lined the road, not only in Greenfield, but also in nearby Shelburne.

Most of the people gathered in Greenfield told 22News that they did not know DeMarsico, but said they wanted to pay their respects.

"It's just overjoying to come out and see the people that would come and honor a fallen soldier," Spence Conley of Sunderland said.

Organizers of the tribute were shocked at the hundreds who stopped what they were doing to came out. They said that they were proud to see the support.

"Nobody seems to really talk or care about it (the war) anymore, and then there's been a rash of Afghanis turning on NATO and US troops, so I think this comes at a time people are growing a little more sensitive to what's going on," said Charles Loven of Greenfield Veterans Services.

Spence Conley and his wife, Janet, are a military family. Their son is currently serving in Afghanistan, so they, along with hundreds of others, did the only thing they knew how.

"That's tough when you've got somebody over there who's doing what he feels is very much the right thing, and for someone to make the ultimate sacrifice to lose his life there is, I just can't describe how they must be feeling, it just breaks my heart," Janet Conley said.

"We need to step in here and let this family know that we care about them and that we care about their son."

The motorcade, which features state police escorts and about half a dozen motorcyclists, made its way west down Route 2 to North Adams, stopping at Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Home on West Main Street, where calling hours will be held for DeMarsico on Friday from 2:00-7:00 P.M.

The 20 year-old soldier's death was caused by an improvised explosive device, also known as an IED.