Flag Dedication at The Arc of Bristol County

Friday, November 9 at 10am The Arc is holding a special Flag Dedication Ceremony which honors a young man with disabilities, the service of veterans and the generosity of a wide community.

Michael Silva of Taunton passed away on Memorial Day of 2009 at 27 years of age.  Michael was a member of The Arc community and enjoyed participating in The Arc’s events.  In Michael’s brief time he touched many lives with a joyful, friendly and curious attitude and gregarious nature.  One of the people who remembered Michael fondly was a physician’s assistant named Anthony LaCourse.

After Michael’s death, family members associated with The Arc held a dance and raised funds to honor his spirit.  It was decided to help troops stationed at the Medical Section of the Detention Facility of Parwan, Afghanistan where Executive Officer LaCourse was now serving.  So in Michael Silva’s honor, care packages where sent to Afghanistan where Officer LaCourse would tell soldiers about Michael, and how he worked with people with disabilities.  The soldiers raised a flag in Michael’s honor, took a group photo, included it with this flag, and sent it to Ted and Pat Griffin, Michael’s foster parents.

The Taunton area families also raised and donated the funds to purchase the flag pole for The Arc of Bristol County. The Rotary Club of Attleboro volunteered their time one weekend installing the pole.  The stone marking the honor was donated by Ray Laramee of MF Graham & Son of Pawtucket RI. 

The Arc invites the greater community to join with us as we honor a young man, his connection with our soldiers and veterans, and how The Arc will commemorate his life on November 9.