Communities bid farewll to Sgt. Jordan Shay

(NECN: Michelle Brown, Amesbury, Mass.) – A Massachusetts soldier killed in Iraq was laid to rest on Saturday, but not before one final journey to his favorite spots, spanning the three towns in which he either lived or worked. The hearse carrying Sgt. Jordan Shay made its way from Newburyport, through Salisbury and Sgt. Shay’s long journey home ended in the town where he grew up — Amesbury. “This is an opportunity for the community to give respects to member of our community who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” Mayor Thatcher Kezer said. Hundreds of folks from the Amesbury, Newburport and Salisbury communities, where Shay had strong ties, lined Cottage Street in Amesbury to bid the fallen soldier a final farewell. Sgt. Shay, 22, died September 3rd in a combat vehicle rollover in Iraq. He graduated from Amesbury High School in 2005, where the flag continued to fly at half-staff Saturday. With no graveside service planned, Jordan Shay was given full military honors outside Holy Family Parish Church following the funeral mass. Jordan Shay was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed. The accident remained under investigation.