Today we completed our 116th project in Rocky Hill, CT. Today's honoree Petty Officer 2nd Class (SH2) Melissa Michaud-Maltese a U.S Navy veteran who served in Kosovo and Saudi Arabia during1998-2005.
A native of Hartford who grew up in Berlin, Melissa was inspired to join the service by her uncle, an Air Force veteran. She viewed her choice to join the U.S. Navy in June 1998 as an opportunity to “do something meaningful with my life,” and she went immediately to Great Lakes, Illinois for boot camp.
For her service, Melissa was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two good conduct medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, the Kosovo Campaign Medal and NATO Medal. Melissa’s service experience had its challenges, particularly as a female member of the military and, now, veteran. She sustained injuries during boot camp and while aboard ship that continue to hinder her today. Melissa is an 80 percent service disabled veteran with a variety of orthopedic issues she must manage day-to-day. “Not all disabilities are easily seen,” she says. “It has been a long, hard road as a woman veteran.
Today, Melissa is a special education teacher at Bristol Central High School. She is thankful for the help House of Heroes is providing to her family, including husband Massimo and her teenage children Alexandra and Michael Lopez.
On behalf of House of Heroes, our wonderful volunteers and a grateful nation, we commend you, Melissa, and thank you for your service to our country!