"We are staffed by individuals who take preservation of our history very seriously. Our items are kept in a temperature-controlled environment and are secured properly," he says.

"Plus, we purchase items we need for our museum instead of relying on the traditional donation methods. We do not feel it is fair to have people donate items that can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars to us. We are happy to offer people fair prices for items we need for our displays."

He offers this advice for those considering selling their cherished military artifacts: "Consider who you are selling your items to. Is this person just going to immediately resell the items for a profit? Or is the buyer a collector or hoarder who will just put the items in a box never to be seen by anyone for years?"

The seeds of the MTMM were planted when Mel obtained his first military relics. For the past 35 years, he has expanded the collection with the sole purpose of establishing one of the finest historical and educational military exhibits in the country. With the MTMM, his long-term goal finally has been achieved.

Throughout the years, Mel has seen many unique items come through the museum. His favorite are the named U.S. military groupings that include all the medals, uniforms, documents, pictures and captured foreign military items. "These groupings are time capsules of one particular individual’s service time and are fascinating," he says.

When he is not involved with museum activities, Mel enjoys spending time with family, who are huge supporters of his efforts to preserve history and honor veterans.

This is not just a profession for Mel, but a mission.

"If we purchase your family member's uniform, medals, etc., all the pieces will definitely stay together," he says. "We also pledge to continue to expand our collection and offer interesting educational displays, both on our website and in person at the local displays we sponsor."