The publication is reproduced in full below:
OBSERVING THE LOSS OF JOSEPH SHELTRY
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HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 11, 2022
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the loss of a dedicated patriot, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Joseph Francis Sheltry of Gales Ferry, Connecticut. A patriot at heart, LCDR Sheltry struck everyone he met with his sincere, personable and enthusiastic character. He led a distinguished career and fulfilling life prior to his untimely death on August 7th, 2020--a week before his 58th birthday. He is to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery this August, bearing us with a new opportunity to honor his memory.
Born in 1962 to Claire and Joseph Sheltry, Joseph was raised in Boston. From an early age, his parents instilled in him the value of service to one's community and Nation. Immediately upon graduating Dominic Savio Catholic High School in 1980, it was with those ideals in mind that Joseph enlisted in the Navy. It would just so happen that in that same inaugural year of service with the Navy that Joseph met his life partner and wife of 37 years--Lorraine--while working as a hospital corpsman for the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
It wasn't long until Joseph and Lorraine married in 1983. Soon after that, in 1985, Joseph was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry as the Honor Graduate from the University of Idaho. From there, he was selected for the Nuclear Propulsion Program and served on the USS Lafayette and the USS Kamehameha. Understanding the value of continuing education, Joseph returned to school following these deployments and received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in California in 1994, followed by a second master's degree just a few years later.
Armed with such an extensive background, Joseph was assigned as the Navigator on the USS Grayling, where he deployed out of Groton, Connecticut. At this point in time, Joseph and Lorraine were ready to establish more permanent roots with what was by then a growing family. Just a day before his deployment, they moved into their first home in the neighboring village of Gales Ferry, Connecticut, with their two children, Jaclyn and Erica. It was within those few short years that LCDR was attached to Commander Submarine Group 4 Norfolk. Madam Speaker, it is worth emphasizing, however, that the nature of Joseph's life story was an interwoven, dutiful balance between family and service to one's country, as the naval officer could not help but return home to stand by his wife's side as their third child, Leah, came into the world.
Their family full, these central, dual tenets of service for LCDR Sheltry reverberated through the remainder of Joseph's vibrant life. After 21 years of service with the Navy, LCDR Sheltry officially retired in August 2001. Just about a month into retirement though, he was stirred back to action following the September 11th attacks and heeded the call of our Nation in mourning, stationing at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Bahrain. He remained dedicated to the strength of our Navy following his tour in Bahrain, returning to his family in Gales Ferry while picking up work at Electric Boat in the neighboring town of Groton, Connecticut. From there, LCDR Sheltry transitioned to the Naval Undersea Warfare Division Newport as the Sensors and SONAR Systems Department Head until his passing nearly two years ago.
Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to represent constituents, who, exemplified by Joseph Sheltry, are constituted by such selfless devotion. Joseph's work had a direct impact on the betterment of our Nation's security, and, despite such an early passing, his contagious bright personality continues to live on through all those who knew him--particularly his family: surviving him are his wife Lorraine, three daughters, mother, siblings and extended family. He had such a genuine attitude and motivation to his aura, which he always purposed toward uplifting those around him. His positive force will not soon leave us. To these ends, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring LCDR Joseph Francis Sheltry, a committed servicemember, father, husband and shipmate, whose resolute loyalty acts as an example to us all, setting his name into the Congressional Record as his final place of rest at Arlington National Cememtery is prepared for him.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 113(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 113(2)
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