ST. MARIE-DU-MONT, France (KDVR) — What do you do when you meet a hero?

If you’re Colorado Army soldier Andreo Navarro-Acosta, you ask for a photo and smile wide, standing next to Stephen Melnikoff, 104, who survived the Normandy invasion.

The two had a chance encounter in a small village near Utah Beach on Sunday. Navarro-Acosta is stationed at Fort Carson. He had no idea his special assignment to participate in D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations in Normandy, France, meant he’d actually get to meet a D-Day hero.

“It’s truly an amazing feeling, actually, because we represent the Army, and to see someone like him just makes me feel truly blessed to be a part of this organization,” Navarro-Acosta told Melnikoff.

“Well, thanks for saying that, buddy. If anything, thank you, sir, because you’re protecting me and us,” Melnikoff replied.

Amid the actual U.S. Army soldiers like Navarro-Acosta, and the thousands of pretend Army soldiers who’ve descended on Normandy to reenact, relive and remember the D-Day invasion, the reactions to a real live D-Day survivor are always the same — awe and amazement.

One man brought a printed photo of Melnikoff’s Army enlistment photo for him to sign.

“This picture has floated around the place forever. That’s a picture of me when I’m probably 23 years old,” Melnikoff said, showing off the photo to a crowd of history buffs.

Another tourist brought Melnikoff a specially-brewed D-Day anniversary beer.

Since 1944, when this part of France was liberated from the Germans in World War II, the week of June 6 has seemed like a holiday. Up till now, they’ve always had D-Day survivors to celebrate with. That may not be the case a few years from now.

That’s why a Denver-based veterans charity, The Greatest Generations Foundation, paid for veterans like Melnikoff to return to the battlefields of Normandy one last time.

And Navarro-Acosta couldn’t be happier they’re here.

“We wouldn’t be here today without you guys,” he told Melnikoff.