Mike Costello
State Representative
1st Essex District
Salisbury Road Named For Fallen Soldier
BOSTON – Legislation naming a road in Salisbury after Army Sergeant Jordan Michael Shay has been signed by Governor Deval Patrick, Representative Michael A. Costello and Senator Steven A. Baddour announced today. Sergeant Shay was killed in Baqubah, Iraq during his second tour of duty.
“Working with Jordan’s family and his mother Holly, I wanted to do something that would honor his service to this country and memorialize his memory,” said Representative Costello, who sponsored the legislation. “We thought this would be a fitting tribute because the road is so heavily-traveled. Jordan made such an impact on his community, and this is a prominent place in the community to honor him.”
The road, parts of which are known as Beach Road and parts of which are known as Reservation Road, runs between Route 1 and the mouth of the Merrimac River.
Jordan Shay was a 2005 graduate of Amesbury High School and had lived in Amesbury before enlisting in the Army in November 2006. He served in the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division based in Fort Lewis, Washington. During his service, Seregeant Shay earned, among other honors, the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star. Sergeant Shay lost his life on September 2, 2009 when a truck in which he was traveling rolled over.
Shay was a gifted writer, who blogged about his experiences in Iraq. Friends remembered him as someone who loved hiking, scuba diving and golfing.
Holly Shay and Jordan’s family have established a scholarship for Amesbury High School students in Jordan’s memory.