text: With Vazquez, Richardson took the question as a challenge. Since she loves history, she figured a boy who professed a love for the Army, combat and wars would likely enjoy a “war-infused” English class. So, she challenged him with literature from the Crusades. “And it just really captivated him.”
  The class turned from a chore into a joy. And just like everything else he enjoyed, he committed to it with heart and soul.
  Vazquez became a speaker in Richardson’s classes. He made it a point to visit after every one of his multiple deployments. He’d talk to her students about how history is not dead, but instead it’s something we create every day. He’d also tell them the story about how he earned his purple heart.