Vermont soldier recalled as a protector
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The parents of fallen U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin, Martin Fortin (left) and Betsy Fortin, say goodbye during a memorial service in St. Johnsbury. About 700 people turned out for the funeral of Fortin, 22, who died in an Aug. 23 bombing near Baghdad. The Associated Press |
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By WILSON RING The Associated Press - Published: September 1, 2009
SAINT JOHNSBURY — A Vermont soldier killed in Iraq chose military service as a way to further a childhood desire to be a superhero and protect those around him, friends and family said Monday.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the gymnasium of St. Johnsbury Academy for the funeral for 22-year-old 2nd Lt. Joseph Fortin, who was killed Aug. 23 in Iraq. Gov. James Douglas and Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, the head of the Vermont National Guard, and Fortin's fellow soldiers were among the mourners.
Martin Fortin said he once asked his son why he wasn't afraid to die.
"He said, 'Dad, because there's one thing worse than that. I know I'm going to have a unit underneath me … if I gave the wrong order or did the wrong thing and one man got maimed for life or died, I would never, never be able to live with myself,'" the elder Fortin said. "And it's amazing, then he smiled and made me at peace with that."
The St. Johnsbury native was killed by an improvised explosive device while riding in a vehicle in Muhallah, near Baghdad.
Fortin was the 27th serviceman with ties to Vermont to die in Iraq, by the Associated Press' count. Another Vermont soldier was killed in Afghanistan, and one died of natural causes in Kuwait.
About 700 people attended the service in the gym of the high school where Fortin graduated in 2004. Over the weekend, thousands of mourners lined the roads of Vermont as the soldier's body was returned to St. Johnsbury from the Burlington International Airport.
On Sunday, hundreds more gathered for calling hours. After the funeral, Fortin's family and friends gathered for a public reception.
During the funeral, some recounted how Fortin never outgrew the desire to be a superhero.
"Superheroes can't stay in high school forever," said Larry Golden, who teaches high school art and had Fortin in class. "So Joey moved on and took his superhero powers off to college, and while he was in college he heard the call. And being a superhero, he had to answer that call; his country needed him. So Joey joined the military.
"But life is different than a superhero movie, it doesn't always have the ending we planned," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "Joey was a standup guy, and Joey always cared about his men. And Joey always led by example and sometimes superhero powers can't protect you.
"Joey has come home and his spirit has gone to wherever super heroes go."
Fortin left a wife, Nicquelle, his parents and siblings.
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