Newtown 5K Names World War II Veteran An "Honorary Runner"

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — A 99-year-old World War II veteran will sound the horn to start Saturday morning's Newtown Library Company's 5K Run for Reading.

Langhorne Borough resident Sandy Oppenheimer has been named the event's first "Honorary Runner," the Newtown Library Company announced.

The purpose of the new honor is to salute a community member who has a passion for reading, enjoyed the benefits of running and has contributed to their community.

“As a World War II veteran, long-serving newspaper editor and an accomplished marathon runner, Sandy Oppenheimer’s remarkable life story excels in every category and more," said Newtown Library Company board member Nancy Webster.

Click here for more information about the race.

Currently a resident at Oxford’s Independent Living in Langhorne, Sandy is one of only three living members of the USS Salt Lake City ship which was built in Camden, N.J., and commissioned in Philly.

He witnessed the fighting at Iwo Jima and proudly displays the famous photo of the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi actually signed by the photographer. He also played an active role in the ship’s reunions and website to help keep their stories alive and the veterans and their families connected.

Sandy Oppenheimer and his late wife, Mary, with U.S. President Bill Clinton. (Courtesy of Sandy Oppenheimer)

He proudly displays the famous photo of the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi actually signed by the photographer. (Courtesy of Sandy Oppenheimer)

(Courtesy of Sandy Oppenheimer)

Born in the Bronx, N.Y., his father died when he was only 11 leaving four very young boys to be raised by their mother. Sandy said, “Our dear mother got a job as a secretary and my older
brother who was 12 and I looked after the younger two."

All four boys went on to serve in the U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Although he received a degree in accounting with his GI Bill, his passion was always in writing and his first job was being a reporter. His experience in the news media includes being the editor of The Bucks County Courier for over 30 years, author of the popular “Good Morning” column and publisher for The Burlington County Times.

He was one of the early Presidents of the Board of Directors for the Bucks County Free Library in 1954 when it was being established. He published his own book titled, “Here I Am,” in 1984 and has met with both President Carter and President Clinton at The White House.

When Sandy was in his 50s, he learned he had high blood pressure and was encouraged to start exercising. With his wife Mary by his side, they started walking in the local parks including Tyler State Park and Core Creek Park. These walks quickly evolved into training and competing in 5K races in PA and NJ.

This love for running further developed into successfully completing marathon races together in Philly, Boston, NYC and even Honolulu. Sadly, Mary passed away two years ago but Sandy still loves to reminisce about their racing days and knows she would love him being back with the running community once again.

Sandy said, “We just loved being together and we met so many nice people everywhere we went."

Sandy still reads The Bucks County Courier everyday and The Bucks County Herald on Thursday. He appreciates the work of reporters getting a good story out to the readers.

“It’s an important job. You have to get the facts right and it takes a tremendous amount of work to put out a good story," he said.

Sandy has two children. His son Randy is a retired editor for newspapers and magazines in Cincinnati, Ohio and his daughter Charlene is a retired school teacher at Shafer Middle School in the Bensalem School District.