Meet TNA “Impact Wrestling” star and veteran Chris Melendez: a man who served his country, lost a leg for it, and then became a pretty badass professional wrestler. On Memorial Day, he will walk in Washington, D.C.’s National Memorial Day Parade.

Melendez, 27, had two dreams growing up: serve the country he loves and become a professional wrestler.

The son of a Vietnam veteran, Melendez grew up in New York and felt the call to service after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

He was only 17 years old when he joined the Army. Seventeen, as in not a legal adult. As in, he’d get turned away if he tried to buy cigarettes, or booze, or get into a club, or rent a car.

But who needs cigarettes and booze when you’re so patriotic you want to go protect your country from terrorists?

Two years into reminding terrorists why America is the home of the brave, Melendez almost died after an IED struck his platoon with only 23 days of his deployment left.

Naturally, his first reaction was to make sure everyone around him was OK. Because that’s what heroic people do.

“When I was able to open my eyes after the explosion I looked across the battlefield to see what I thought was a fellow-soldier in need of help. I quickly realized it was my leg.”

Melendez died three times, and was brought back three times by medics. Ain’t nobody got time for dying, especially not Melendez.

Amazingly, Melendez was up and walking 40 days into his stay at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

“It wasn’t easy for me. It was intense physical rehab. I got down on myself sometimes, but I didn’t stay there, I didn’t allow myself to feel sorry for myself,” he told TheDC. “Never quit, just try and figure out the best strategy. Once I returned home, that’s when I really saw a big difference.”

“Mentally, you need to heal internally. It took me a few years to get to the point where I could venture out and do what I’m doing now,” he said. “I motivated myself to accomplish my dreams. I hope to inspire others… You can accomplish anything you put your mind to.”

Who wouldn’t be inspired by that?

“Suffering with Post Traumatic Stress, those are the injuries you can’t physically see. It’s often overlooked. It’s a daily struggle for a lot of us. Just try to take it one day at a time.”

What was next for the veteran? Wrestling, of course. Lose a leg? No biggie. Prosthetic legs work just fine, and the ladies love ’em.

Melendez signed a multi-year contract with TNA “Impact Wrestling” in June 2014, and he’s pretty darn intimidating. He’s engaged and has an adorable baby boy, Vinnie.

“I motivated myself to accomplish my dreams. I hope to inspire others because you can accomplish anything you put your mind to,” Melendez told TheDC. “I’ll be at the parade contributing in any way possible. I’ll be signing, making some remarks. Saying a few things about what this means to me.”

Melendez explained that Memorial Day is not just another day off, but an important day to give back to veterans. “Don’t let it just be a Monday off. Actually go out and, if it’s just one veteran, pay tribute and show your appreciation for their sacrifice,” he urged. “The smallest thing goes a long way. I encourage everyone to get out there and contribute in some way.”

Want to see what Melendez looks like in the ring? Take a look at his debut on “Impact Wrestling” and prepare yourself for a beat down.

WATCH: 

Kira Kazantsev, 23, will also be marching Monday. She talked to TheDC about how Memorial Day is meaningful to her not just because of her crown, but because — more importantly — she’s an American.

“Not just as Miss America, but as an American citizen, it’s my responsibility to give back to the United States military and our service men and women,” she said. “The crown has a lot of power, there’s an opportunity there to raise awareness about what veterans go through on a daily basis.”

Kazantsev uses her title to give back to veterans, whether through a tour with the United Service Organizations or by visiting hospitals to meet and encourage injured veterans.

“The crown is a big hit, not with just kids and old people, but veterans, they love it. They all want to take pictures and selfies and they tell me their stories,” Kazantsev said. “They are so candid and open about it. It really puts things into perspective to learn about what they have been through and the things they’ve sacrificed for our country. It makes me appreciate what I have so much more.”

“Being Miss America has allowed me to create long-lasting relationships with many veterans,” she explained. “We wouldn’t have the freedoms we have without them. There wouldn’t be a Miss America without them. Memorial Day is the perfect day to make sure everyone knows how lucky we are.

“I think some people in our generation do forget that we wouldn’t have what we have without them. Right now, today, in this very minute, there’s somebody out there in the field protecting our freedom and fighting for our country, and that’s what Memorial Day is all about.

“Just sit for a second and think about what it’s actually all about. If you see a service member that day, please go up and shake their hand and say thank you,” she told TheDC. “It’s such an easy thing to do. Be incredibly respectful to the people that have made these sacrifices.”

In its 10th year, the parade is the largest Memorial Day event in the country. It will also commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.

Actor Gary Sinise, famous for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in “Forest Gump,” “Criminal Minds” actor Joe Mantegna, Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan, American Idol winner Caleb Johnson and others will also be in the parade.

The parade will travel down Constitution Avenue where World War II veterans will act as grand marshals to represent the men and women who have served, and the over 400,000 who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Marine Corps Equestrian & Armed Forces Color Guards, U.S. Army Band and U.S. Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps Marching Platoons will also participate in the parade.

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