St. Johnsbury soldier dies in Iraq

Print More

(Host) It was one of the saddest first days of school in a long time at St. Johnsbury Academy. A 2004 graduate, Joey Fortin, was killed in Iraq on Sunday. He was a second lieutenant field artillery officer with the U-S Army.

VPR’s Charlotte Albright visited the Academy and has this report.

(Albright) Joey Fortin is being remembered today as a baseball player, an honor student, a talented actor, and an all-around nice guy. He was also a free spirit who liked to compete and sometimes surprise his friends and family with his antics. St. Johnsbury Academy Headmaster Tom Lovett said this afternoon that the school community is in shock:

(0825Lovett) "Many of the faculty members were close with Joey. He was just a great kid and they remember him fondly and the news struck hard among the faculty members today.

(Albright) Fortin had been married just a little over a year. His parents, Martin and Betsy Fortin, have asked reporters to respect their privacy until funeral arrangements are made. St. Johnsbury Academy has also begun planning a way to honor their fallen alumnus.  

For VPR News, I’m Charlotte Albright, in St. Johnsbury.

Comments are closed.