Posted by 
Nicquelle Fortin, center, wife of 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin is escorted behind her husband's casket at the end of funeral services for the soldier who was killed while serving in Iraq last week. (Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
Vermont Soldier’s Funeral in St. Johnsbury for 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin
St. Johnsbury, Vt. - Many family members, friends, and soldiers who knew 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin, gathered at St. Johnsbury Academy’s Alumni Memorial Gymnasium and said a tearful goodbye Monday to a Vermonter who gave his life while serving his country in Iraq last week.
Fortin, 22, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., died August 23rd in Muhallah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Fortin’s cousin Denelle Noyes shared childhood memories of “Joey” Fortin, “Those countless hours spent in the back laundry room or as we called it, the bat cave. I was always the Robin to Joey’s Batman, and he always took care of me and watched out for me.”
Noyes continued, “He took me to my first day here, at the Academy, and in spite of the fact that he was my senior cousin, and I was his little freshman girl cousin, he drove me to school every day. Few people in their lives are lucky enough to know someone like Joey. But even fewer people are blessed to know a hero, and Joey is just that. We love you, Joey. Rest in peace, and don’t worry, the bat cave will be well looked after.”
Capt. Derek Drouin spoke of Fortin’s eager role in Iraq, “Many Iraqi people will not know that. Joey helped double the amount of drinking water for 800,000 people, improved the supply of irrigation water for 15,000 farmers, increased the amount of electricity by several hours a day. He also helped provide training opportunities for local Iraqi farmers, improved agriculturally. Joey became the squadron in beekeeping, which, you have to understand, it’s a highly lucrative industry for Iraqi farmers but Joey was the butt of many jokes on the camp as he led that effort.”
Drouin, as he spoke directly to Fortin’s family, his voice breaking with emotion, ”Take comfort in knowing that you were behind him, the dedicated, caring, thoughtful and honorable officer that he was.”
-Vermont Daily News staff report
2nd Lt. Fortin's commander, Capt. Derek Drouin, right, wipes a tear away as Betsy Fortin comforts her husband Martin Fortin, while he leans over the casket near the end of funeral service for his son, 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin in St. Johnsbury, Monday, August 31, an U.S. Army soldier who died recently while serving in Iraq. (Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- Nicquelle Fortin, center, wife of 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin is escorted behind her husband’s casket at the end of funeral services for the soldier who was killed in Iraq last week. (Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- Governor James Douglas, R-Vt., hugs Nicquelle Fortin during funeral service for her husband, 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin, who died while serving in Iraq.(Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- U.S. Rep Peter Welch, D-Vt., hugs Betsy Fortin during the funeral service for her son, 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin, in St. Johnsbury, Vt. Monday, August 31. (Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- Capt. Derek Drouin, center, cries during a funeral for 2nd Lt. Fortin who died recently while serving with Drouin in Iraq. (Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- St. Johnsbury Academy Teacher Larry Golden, who once taught 2nd Lt. Fortin, says during a funeral for the soldier who died recently in Iraq, “He was a super hero!”(Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- Martin Fortin, right, shares a laugh with a soldier at the funeral service for his son, 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin in St. Johnsbury, Monday, August 31, for the U.S. Army soldier who died recently while serving in Iraq.(Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- An attendee cries during the song “You Raise me Up.” at the funeral service for 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin in St. Johnsbury, Monday, August 31, for the U.S. Army soldier who died recently while serving in Iraq.(Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- Nicquelle Fortin says her final goodbye after funeral services for her husband, 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin in St. Johnsbury, Monday, August 31, for the U.S. Army soldier who died while serving in Iraq.(Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)
-
- Betsy Fortin comforts her husband Martin Fortin, as he leans over the casket near the end of funeral service for his son, 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin in St. Johnsbury, Monday, August 31, an U.S. Army soldier who died recently while serving in Iraq.(Vermont Daily News photo/Alden Pellett)