Dr. Sledge honored during “Boots” Thomas ceremony

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, members of the Monticello community gathered at the “Boots” Thomas Veterans Memorial Park on West Washington Street to mark the 79th anniversary of the first U.S. flag raised on Mt. Suribachi during World War II. On this day in 1945, hometown hero Sgt. Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas led his Marine platoon in a fire fight up Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, and raised the first U.S. flag on Japanese soil. About two to three hours later, ar