Joseph Douglas Fortin of St. Johnsbury, a 2nd Lieutenant Field Artillery officer with the U.S. Army, was killed in action in Iraq on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. He served as a fire support officer for the 1st Calvary Division 1-7 "Garryowen." Joey was born in St. Johnsbury on Nov. 5, 1986, one of three children born to Martin and Betsy (Wood) Fortin. He graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy with the class of 2004. Joey received his B.S. degree in criminal justice in May 2008 from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. The following day he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army. On May 24, 2008, he and Nicquelle Desilets were united in marriage. He is survived by his wife Nicquelle; his parents Martin and Betsy Fortin of St. Johnsbury; two sisters, Jennifer McKinney and husband Steve of Chesterfield, Va., and Jocelyn Fortin of Penacook, N.H.; his paternal grandmother Virginia Fortin of St. Johnsbury; his maternal grandparents Donald and Sunny Wood of Waterford; his parents-in-law, Raymond and Jeana (Bailey) Desilets of St. Johnsbury; aunts and uncles, cousins, and the extended Desilets family. Services will be held on Monday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. Joey's life and his service to his country will be celebrated at the Alumni Gymnasium located on the campus of St. Johnsbury Academy. The Rev. John Marshall will officiate. Please enter the parking lots located off the South Main Street entrance. At 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening, military personnel will escort his casket into Fuller Hall located on the Academy campus. His casket will lie in state Sunday evening 6-9 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to please enter Fuller Hall via the main entrance off Main Sreet and exit toward Colby Hall to the left of stage. The family will observe his burial services privately. Memorial contributions could be directed to "The Joseph Fortin Memorial Fund," c/o Community National Bank, 857 Memorial Dr., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.