Her father Gary Melquist is a highly decorated, wounded-in-action, 100% disabled veteran of the Vietnam War. Melquist is also Volpe’s “go-to expert” when it comes to teaching about the war. It’s something that captivated her students recently when Melquist visited Volpe’s classroom.

“The kids were captivated by the presentation. The way the presentation is set up with a video clip showing how soldiers’ families were informed of a loved one’s injury or death really sets the stage,” said Volpe. “I immediately moved into reading the telegram that my grandmother received informing her of my father’s extensive injuries. This really draws students in. My students are silent as he tells of his experiences and ask great questions when they are given the opportunity to interact with him.”

Melquist, who was an infantryman with the United States Army, suffered severe and debilitating injuries within a short time of arriving in-country during direct support of combat operations. For Volpe and her father, June 2, 1969, will forever be etched within their minds.

“Three months into his time in Vietnam he lost his leg, his hearing, and is scarred on his arms and leg from the severity of the explosion on June 2, 1969,” she said. “He left a young boy and came back as a man carrying the scars from his service on his body. His resilience in the face of his injuries is noble.”

Vietnam War veteran Gary Melquist and his daughter, a history teacher at Jefferson Middle School, brought history to life Friday, by sharing their own personal experiences during a Vietnam War presentation. Submitted photo

Melquist, a Purple Heart recipient is a man of few words and is humble regarding his service.

“I did my duty,” he said. “We all did.”

Volpe then explained her complete love and admiration for her hero – her father.

“My father is my hero. He answered a call of duty that he did not ask for,” she said. “My dad came home, went to Jamestown Business College, married my mother, had five children, and worked for 42 years as a purchasing agent at The Resource Center. Not once do I ever remember my dad complaining about his condition. He is 100% disabled from the Army and growing up I remember he would not use his handicap parking sticker. I asked him why once and he told me he wanted to save those spots for people who needed the spots more than he did. Presenting his story each year just cements how much I love him and honor his sacrifice to our country.”

Melquist, again proved that he is humble, and content given his aches and pain he sometimes suffers from.

“It hurts some days more than others, but I make do,” said the Purple Heart recipient.

While Volpe is teaching about the Vietnam War, she also used other veterans to highlight historical events from the past.

“I had the pleasure of having a WWII pilot come into my classroom once. He actually brought a piece of his plane, that had been shot down in with him to the classroom. It was remarkable and so powerful,” she added.