The town of North Adams salutes the brave men and women who keep our country safe this Veterans Day, while honoring one local fallen hero. Our Beth Croughan has more.

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NORTH ADAMS, Ma. -- "May he serve as a reminder to all of us, that Veterans Day is more than a day off from school and work. That Veterans Day is more than a day for sales at all the stores," said Pastor David Anderson.

For the folks First Baptist Church Pastor David Anderson spoke to Sunday morning, Veterans Day was a day they chose to run, to run in honor of their hometown hero.

"He did what he loved, he was doing it for us," said 26-year-old Steven L. Cahoon, Michael DeMarsico's cousin.

Their hero, 20-year-old Michael DeMarsico.

"It's only been a few months. I couldn't even believe when I was driving here this morning, thinking its not even three full months yet," said family friend and race organizer Eileen Monyahan.

It was August 16th when the soldier was killed in action in Afghanistan.

"Yeah, I miss him," said Cahoon.

"Everyday is a battle, but you know we are there for each other and we'll get through it because that's what he would want us to do," said DeMarsico's aunt, Laurie Douglas.

The family has each other and the support of the entire North Adams community. More than a couple hundred people came out for the first annual "Up Front for Demar" 5K.

"We had no idea it would get this big. I mean we had hoped it would eventually. We has no idea it would get this big this fast, but we're very grateful that it did," said Monyahan.

It was a race organized in just 8 short weeks to raise money for the Michael DeMarsico Scholarship Fund and a race organized to remember.

"To remember our boy who became a man that loved country so much that he was willing to give everything," said the Pastor.

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