Jericho resident Bob Hoffman was recently selected to carry the 2002 Winter Olympic torch on Dec. 23 in the New York City area and his approximately one-mile run will be dedicated to all those who lost their lives on Sept. 11.

The Olympic Torch Relay has been a tradition since 1952 when it was adopted from an idea proposed by a chairman of the 1936 Berlin Games. Symbolizing spirit, knowledge and life, this event delivers the Olympic Flame from Greece to the host country.

The Flame of the 2002 Winter Games was lighted November 19, 2001, in Olympia, Greece. It traveled to Athens before arriving in Atlanta, Georgia - the previous U.S. city to host the Olympic Games. Now, it's headed to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hoffman, a retired Jericho teacher, will be one of 11,500 torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame 13,500 miles through 250 U.S. cities and 46 states. Then on February 8, 2002, the Cauldron at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium will be lighted to officially start the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

This year's relay theme is inspiration and torchbearers are individuals who have inspired others, who serve their community in an exemplary manner, who embody the Olympic spirit, and who have overcome adversity. Hoffman's colleague nominated him as a torchbearer.

Hoffman will carry his own torch and at the completion of his slot segment, which is approximately one mile, he will light the torch of the person who will carry it next. The actual torches do not change hands - only the flame is passed. The mile run is nothing for Hoffman, who has participated in many races and runs about 5 miles each day

Hoffman started the Senior Citizen's Prom, the 5K Run for the Marty Lion's Foundation and the Jericho Hall of Fame in the Jericho School District. He retired from the Jericho School District in June of 2000 and was there for 34 years. He taught future studies, exploring childhood, AP psychology, leadership, economics and American history. "In 34 years you cover them all," joked Hoffman who spent his career at Jericho teaching in the high school.

Hoffman is dedicating his run to Richard Fraser, a former student of his who was tragically killed in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. In addition to teaching Richard, Hoffman and Richard's dad Charles were fraternity brothers at Union College. Richard was an executive for Aon Corp, an insurance conglomerate based at 2 World Trade Center. He was working on the 92nd floor on Sept. 11.

Richard Fraser was born in 1968 and graduated from Jericho High School in 1986. In addition to his wife Suzanne, 22-month-old son Aidan and parents Charles and Kathryn Fraser, Richard is survived by his sister Margaret Aaron of Jericho and brother Leland of Allentown, PA.

Richard's family established a trust fund to defray the expenses and Hoffman would like to use the Olympic run as an opportunity to raise financial support for Aidan who has neurofibromatosis. Memorial donations may be made to the Aidan Fraser Education and Medical Fund c/o the Frasers; 7325 Nassau Point Road, Cutchogue, NY 11935.

"It was an honor to be nominated and selected so I decided to turn this into something that will help other people," said Hoffman I contacted the Fraser family. I knew Charles Fraser from our College Days at Union College.

Bob Hoffman