History came alive this weekend at the Johnny Appleseed Metro Park’s Lauer Farm, as people got a glimpse of wartime in 1944.
The Allied Forces took on the Axis Powers on the battlefield once again thanks to World War II reenactors. People were able to see why the heroes of World War II were called the greatest generation in a display of armored and military might. One local hero received special recognition from reenactor Sean Graham. On the 75th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, Graham was part of the crew that recreated the paratroopers jump during the battle. But when he jumped, he was carrying the picture and other mementos of paratrooper Levern Homan from Saint Marys who made that jump in World War II. They presented Homan’s family with the items that Graham jumped with to honor his legacy.
“What the veterans went through was just amazing and what they did for all of us was amazing. To honor them in anyway shape or form, I will step up in a heartbeat to it,” says Graham. “It’s just brings a tear to the eye and chokes you up a bit, for the sacrifice they made. I am more than willing to make a jump for them, and I will continue to jump as long as I can, and continue to reenact, because that is what we do it for is to honor the veterans.”
“It was great when Mike first approached me about Sean doing this and I’m like yea,” says Mike Homan, Levern Homan’s son. “It was really very humbling and the whole family is very grateful for this.”
The World War II reenactments will continue Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Lauer Farm, located at 800 Roush Rd. Lima. The event is free and open to the public.
