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September 12, 2009

Hundreds turn out to honor Sgt. Jordan M. Shay

Katie Farrell Lovett, Staff Writer

AMESBURY — They began lining up an hour before the scheduled time that Sgt. Jordan M. Shay’s motorcade was scheduled to arrive at Saint Joseph's Church.

Some carried flags; others brought their children. Some had seen the images of war firsthand. Others knew Shay. But most who gathered on School Street had never met the 22-year-old Amesbury native who died in a truck rollover Sept. 2 while serving his second tour of duty in the War on Terror, stationed in Baqubah, Iraq. He had been deployed on this latest tour just weeks ago.

Along a motorcade route that took Shay's casket from Newburyport to Salisbury to the Amesbury church, hundreds who never knew Shay waved American flags and wiped away tears. Dozens more waited outside the church in a drizzling rain to pay their respects, while friends, family, veterans and dignitaries filled the inside of the church.

“I will grieve for Jordan and I will miss him for the rest of my life,” his mother Holly Shay, of Newburyport, told mourners during the Catholic Mass. “He was, and is, everything to this family.” Shay’s father, Michael, died of cancer when Jordan was 2 years old.

Shay, a 2005 Amesbury High School graduate, was a specialist in the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, based in Fort Lewis, Wash. He was the town’s first combat fatality suffered since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

His funeral was attended by a range of military, state and local officials. Before the service in the middle of School Street, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, using a cane due to recent hip surgery, greeted Gov. Deval Patrick, on crutches, also due to hip surgery. Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, state Secretary of Veterans Services Thomas Kelley, state Rep. Michael Costello, state Sen. Steven Baddour, Congressmen John Tierney, D-Salem, and mayors John Moak and Thatcher Kezer stood nearby.

Inside Saint Joseph’s Church, Shay’s loved ones remembered the young solider who loved life and was looking forward to his future with his girlfriend, Kelsey Chandonnet, who he was planning on proposing to when he returned home.

Holly Shay recalled her “wonderful son” who was a “loving boyfriend” and “true and steady friend.” He was loyal, humble and protective, she said, who cherished his girlfriend, Kelsey Chandonnet, as well as family and friends.

She spoke of his love of music and his proud standing as a “Parrothead” -- a Jimmy Buffett fan -- and shared excerpts of Jordan’s writing with the packed church.

Holly Shay implored the mourners to also celebrate Shay’s life and continue his legacy while thanking the fellow members of his platoon, soldiers that Jordan considered brothers who he would give his life for, as they would for him.

“I am forever indebted to you,” she said, describing how they took care to recover Shay’s body, hold his hand and stay with him following the accident until help arrived.

Shay was especially close to Army Sgt. Todd Selge, 25, of Burnsville, Minn., who was also killed in the accident, Holly Shay said.

Jordan’s uncle, Paul Shay, and best friend Carey Shockey also shared memories.

As the first grandchild of a big Irish family, Jordan had many expectations set on him when he was born, Paul Shay said. “He did not disappoint.”

A specialist, Shay was promoted to the rank of sergeant following his death.

During a military ceremony outside the church in lieu of a graveside service, “Taps” was played as the American flag was removed from Shay’s casket and folded to be presented to Shay’s mother, with Shay's girlfriend, Kelsey Chandonnet, sitting next to her. She was also given Shay’s Bronze Star and the Iraq Campaign Medal. A three-volley tribute by the Honor Guard was conducted as police officers from Newburyport, Amesbury, Salisbury and Merrimac joined military personnel and members of the Patriot Guard Riders and Rolling Thunder in salute.

As the ceremony concluded, family members approached the casket to give Shay one last goodbye, covering it with red roses.

Chandonnet, in tears, paused to kiss the casket twice.

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