Thank you for your service, Dr. Zupancic
For many of us in the dental community, being of service is a lifelong goal. But within our School of Dentistry, there’s an individual who has taken the concept of “service” to the next level as a professor, clinic director and member of the Minnesota Air National Guard. John Zupancic, DDS, clinical assistant professor and director of Hibbing Community College Dental Clinic, is also Colonel John Zupancic, who joined the military in 1991.
In becoming a member of the armed forces, Zupancic was carrying out a military legacy that began with his father and has continued with his three children, all of whom serve in the 148th Fighter Wing: Technical Sergeant Catherine Schmisek, Staff Sergeant John H. Zupancic and Staff Sergeant Carl Zupancic. His son-in-law, Staff Sergeant Matthew Schmisek, is also in that Wing.
Zupancic remembers the incredible military accomplishments of his own father, who was the son of Slovenian immigrants. “When World War II broke out, he volunteered for service,” Zupancic said. “He served with the First Infantry Division and landed on the beaches of Normandy, fought in the Battle of Aachen, the Hürtgen Forest, and was severely wounded on Christmas Eve in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. Despite the injuries he had sustained, he raised the American flag in our yard every morning and took it down each night, until the day he died. He was always exceptionally proud to be an American, and his patriotism served as an example for me to follow.”
The idea of combining professional and military life presented itself to Zupancic when he attended the School of Dentistry. “My group director, Dr. James Holtan, often spoke of the benefits of becoming a Navy Officer, particularly regarding the added experience and training the Navy had to offer,” he said. “He probably had no idea that his advice would have such a profound impact on my life for the better, but after dental school graduation, I began active duty service and entered into a general practice residency program at Great Lakes Naval Hospital.”
After 34 years in the military, he’s had many adventures and memorable experiences, but one stands out most clearly: “As odd as it sounds, one of the highlights of my career was being deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I treated so many patients from all walks of life. including U.S. troops, coalition troops, government contractors, Iraqi government officials and Iraqi children. My favorites were the Italian carabinieri, which is their name for military police. They were so thankful for dental treatment that they would bring homemade pizza to my assistant and me every Friday night.”
Zupancic recently made the decision to retire from the military. “Everyone knows when it’s their time to move on,” he said. Looking back, he said, “I wouldn’t trade my military service for anything. I believe it’s made me a better dentist, citizen, husband and father. My wife has been exceptionally supportive of my military career, as well as the careers of our children. The fact that all three of them, plus my son-in-law, also serve in the 148th Fighter Wing, is a testament to the positive example that military service can instill in others.”