Veterans look back at service, youth

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - This week kicks off the Veterans' Home Week.  Two local veterans and residents at the Indiana Veterans Home share their stories. 

Allen Gahimer never planned on becoming an actor. But the Rush County native was one of 20 soldiers chosen by Columbia Pictures to be a part of the Academy Award-winning film, "From Here to Eternity".

"When the movie starts, the camera is out of focus on us and we march past the camera and run behind the building and come through again," Gahimer said.

Gahimer spent about four months filming and training acting greats like Frank Sinatra and Montgomery Cliff .

"Here I am training him (Cliff) at Schofield  Barracks Quad C. I was telling him to let your hand flow down that riffle, don't grip it. Just look at the expression on his face," he said.

Gahimer is in about six or seven scenes in the movie. He had no speaking lines but was almost a part of the famous beach scene with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.

" (Fred) Zimmerman (the director) had me dress in a bathing suit, down on Waikiki and Burt is supposed to come up to me. But it was 5 p.m. and Zimmerman asked the cameraman if he would work over and the cameraman said no," Gahimer said.

Gahimer finally got a chance to see the movie in 1954 once he was back home in Indiana. He said sometimes when the movie is on at the Indiana Veterans Home he points out his scenes to fellow residents. Residents like, Ted Buehler, a World War II and Korean War veteran. Buehler was 21-years-old when he entered the Army.

"I learned a lot. I learned a whole lot. If I didn't listen and learn what my commanders and my chiefs said I wouldn't be here sitting here," Buehler said.

Buehler said he saw things he will never be able to forget. But he is thankful for his fellow comrades.

"The service was my family. I'm glad I did what I did and did what I did for my country," he said.

These days you can find Buehler tending to the garden at the Indiana Veterans Home.

"I've got all my babies out here and I look up in the morning and I say thank you God for my blessings," he said.

Veterans' Home Week celebrations

The Indiana Veterans’ Home (3851 N River Road, West Lafayette) will celebrate Veterans’ Home Week during the week of June 14th though the 20th. There will be activi­ties each day for residents, staff and the public. For more information call (765) 463-1502.

Schedule

Sunday, June 14th: American Legion State Day Program

Monday, June 15th, 1 p.m. Indiana Veterans Home Flag Day Ceremony

Tuesday, June 16th, 9 a.m.- to 2 p.m.Display of Resident Artwork

Wednesday, June 17th Kids Day

Thursday, June 18th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. IVH Open House, Tours and Lawrie Paintings Display

Friday, June 19th, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Resident Biography Displays