Jim Bylica
I had the honor of assisting Melvin to Normandy France in 2022, I wasn't sure what to expect when I arrived in Atlanta the day before leaving for France.
I met Melvin and was surprised by his wit and his energy, he also surprised me by how tech savvy he was.
Melvin had three things he wanted to see in France and wanted to get a beret, he wanted to go to Omaha beach, Utah beach, Saint Mary Gleese to see the paratrooper hanging from his parachute on the church.
We were able to visit everything on his list, but the beret was a bit harder to find then expected, all the berets that were for sale were more for children.
On our last day in France we were visiting Utah beach and I was on a search for a beret, and walked up to a group of French soldiers who were wearing berets.
I asked if they knew how i could get a beret for my world war II veteran, the young soldier said that he had one, and asked if he could give it to Melvin.

