Honoring a World War Two Veteran, Leonard Herman: Why I'm Running the Teton Pass

Leonard Herman, far left front, was one of the very first 95th Bomb Group airmen to receive an Air Medal as a bombardier for the 95th Bomb Group in early 1943. He got it for shooting down a German FW-190 on May 21, 1943 on a mission to Emden. He shot down a second FW-190 on October 8, 1944, on a mission to Bremen.

Leonard and me in July 2008 at his home in Columbus, GA. He passed away a few months later at the age of 92.

Why is a 50-year-old man who's had three knee surgeries planning to take on one of America's toughest mountain passes in two months? It's all because of a veteran by the name of Leonard Herman, who flew two tours of duty over Europe during World War Two, first as a B-17 bombardier with the 95th Bomb Group in 1943 and then as a B-26 bombardier with the 9th Air Force.
Leonard was my brother and my friend. He wasn't my actual brother, but he might as well have been. He helped me immeasurably on my writing projects, and he helped me to become a better human being just by knowing him. A kind, sweet and gentle man, Leonard never the less became a bomber crewman in the early days of World War Two. It fitted his character. He was always trying to help others, and as an American of Jewish heritage, he believed strongly that America must defeat the Nazis. He served with great distinction and valor. Nominated for the Medal of Honor, he has a United States post office named in his honor in Boca Rotan, Florida, a book to his credit, and nearly every Air Force medal possible, including the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal.
I have run Teton Pass three times in the past in honor of World War Two veterans. It's a tough climb. Five miles straight up, from Wilson, Wyoming to the summit of the pass, which is situated at an oxygen-deprived 8,220 feet. One year, my friend Lyle Shafer, a B-17 pilot and POW, met me at the summit as we raised money for the as-yet-built World War Two Memorial in Washington, DC.
A few years ago, I decided not to run the pass any more. I had another knee surgery that year, and decided my days of mountain and trail running were about over. But this past October, my best friend Leonard passed away, and despite the fact that he had been a successful businessman and provider all his life, he died in debt. There was no way for his family to pay for his headstone on his grave at the Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.
All money raised from this year's run will go to purchasing a headstone for Lenny's grave that will serve as an everlasting tribute to this great man. I envision the stone as having an engraved B-17 Flying Fortress with the markings of the 95th Bomb Group on it. Leonard was not honored as he should have been at his funeral. The Jewish-American War Veterans and the American Legion both said they would send an honor guard---neither showed up. The VA has since denied the paltry sum of $200 for Leonard's headstone, which I am appealing. I made the trip to Philly from Idaho for his funeral, and gave a eulogy for this dear friend, but it was sad that he seems to be forgotten already by a country that he served so well and gave so much for.
I have set up an account at the A+ Teacher's Credit Union in Idaho Falls, Idaho named the Teton Pass Run account, in my name, in order to raise pledges for this run on June 6. All those who donate will be recognized on this blog by name, or anonymously if they prefer. The address is:
Teton Pass Run Account
Robert Morris
A+ Credit Union
525 Sunnyside Road
Idaho Falls, ID 83403
USA
Let's send Leonard Herman on his final mission with a stone fit for an American hero. Join me.
I'll be posting regularly on my training for this run. Today I did six miles, coming off a case of tendonitus in my lateral collateral ligament. Anyone in the area who would like to run this with me, please contact me. You may raise pledges as well. Anyone who runs with me will get a Leonard Herman Teton Pass Run T-shirt designed by me, as well as the good feeling of helping to honor a great American.