A daylong ceremony is being held in Independence today to honor a local man who was murdered 25 years ago while serving as a missionary to the poor in South America. Reverend Raymond Herman was killed October 20th, 1975, in Bolivia. Father Phil Gibbs of the Archdiocese of Dubuque says Herman’s story is inspirational.The observance is being held in Herman’s home parish, St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church of Independence. Herman served in Bolivia for 12 years. More than 800 youngsters from Catholic schools around northeast Iowa have traveled to Independence today for the ceremony.
