[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 113 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  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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