Re-enactment to pay tribute to service members

Free event celebrates bicentennial

A military re-enactment will pay tribute to service members and make American history come alive in Wellington.

The Wellington Bicentennial Military Appreciation Day will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., June 16, at the Lorain County Fairgrounds. Admission is free. The day is part of the continuing celebration of Wellington’s 200th anniversary, said committee member Alan Leiby, who is coordinating the day.

The committee began meeting more than a year ago to set up a series of celebrations.

“This is one of the many results of those meetings,” Leiby said. “It should be a great day.”

The time was chosen so the day falls between Memorial Day and Independence Day.

There will be a number of military speakers, memorabilia and displays. Among the highlights: • The Lorain County Veterans Services Commission and Lorain County chapter of Blue Star Mothers will attend.

• Civil War-era 1st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery will have at least eight occupied tents in their campsite.

Taylor’s Battery, an artillery unit from Toledo, will bring two civil war cannons that we will be fired on the hour.

Re-enactors will portray Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, before he was elected a U.S. president, and Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. A Confederate unit will set up a campsite.

• There will be a World War I Bivouac area with a couple World War I GIs.

• Up to 10 German World War II re-enactors from the 100th Jager will set up camp. There will be a World War II-era foxhole, tents, soldiers and a paratrooper.

• A Vietnam re-enactor will set up a campsite.

• The Military Vehicle Collectors Association and local collectors are expected to show up with vintage military hardware.

• Photographer Michael Rhodes will set up to take and develop tin types, with props and uniforms to borrow.

• The LaGrange Steam Engine Club members will have their blacksmith shop open for demonstrations.

• The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office will send the bomb squad truck, the SWAT Team with armored vehicle and police dogs.

• LifeFlight medical helicopter will land at the fairgrounds at noon.

There also will be about 50 merchandise vendors, with a half dozen food vendors and a beer tent.