Memorial Coach Features DeMarsico, Petithory

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Anyone driving over the Hadley Overpass on Wednesday morning had a good look at the Gold Star Memorial Coach. The coach includes the names of the two Northern Berkshire County fatalities in the war in Afghanistan: Sfc. Daniel H. Petithory and Spc. Michael DeMarsico Jr.

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority passenger car traveled from Boston with a host of MassDOT and Pan Am Railways officials to Western Gateway Heritage State Park. The train was expected to arrive by 9 a.m. but showed up a lot sooner — at about 7:30 — and sat at the park until leaving for a tour of the Hoosac Tunnel nearly three hours later.

In an unusual last-minute move, PanAm officials invited everyone gathered at Building 4 aboard the train for trip, including Mayor Richard Alcombright, City Councilors Lisa Blackmer and Marie Harpin, and close relatives of DeMarsico. [Alas, this reporter was situated at the other end of the park to catch some video of it leaving, thereby missing out on a ride of a lifetime. :(.]

The names of all Baystaters killed in action labeled with rank and year are featured on gold stars on the sides of car — Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) on one side, and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) on the other.

The stars for Petithory and DeMarsico (who is listed as a private but was posthumously promoted to specialist) are quite close to one another, although their sacrifices were 11 years apart. 

Marcia Weaver of the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail system created the design. Weaver drove to North Adams for the event, likely the only time the car will be in Western Mass., in case there were questions about it. 

Weaver told us the rail agency had wanted to come up with a way to recognize the service of the Bay State citizens. The train car seemed an appropriate "rolling memorial" that could reach every area that the MBCR serviced.


"We created the train with the MBTA's permission," said Weaver, who credited PanAm and MBTA officials for ensuring the car made it this far west.

The memorial is a wrap that was placed on the passenger car in late April; any stars added after that are decals. They're set so that when the train rolls into a station, the stars are above the floor so they can be read.

Most wraps last about four to six months, but Weaver said this one was in very good shape. "We've really taken very good care of it."

While those killed in combat situations are on the exterior, others who died in Iraq and Afghanistan are listed on a plaque inside to recognize "they still gave the sacrifice of their lives," said Weaver.

But she doesn't want to keep adding to it. "Let's hope there aren't going to be anymore stars," she said.

Tags: DeMarsico,   MBTA,   memorial,   Petithory,   train,   

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North Adams Warns Residents of Lead Pipe Survey Scam

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams is warning residents about scammers exploiting a city-run lead pipe survey project.

As mentioned in a letter sent to city residents, the city is undergoing a lead pipe survey. Since then, some residents have been contacted by scammers claiming to be part of the survey and looking for financial information.

Officials emphasized that the survey is free, and the city is not making phone calls to residents at this time. 

Residents are urged not to share financial details over the phone. Anyone receiving such calls should report the incident immediately to the North Adams Police Department at 413-664-4944, extension 1.

 
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