Locals gather to remember “Boots” Thomas and Iwo Jima

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On Feb. 23, the Boots Thomas Memorial Park Foundation held its annual ceremony to mark the 1945 Battle for Iwo Jima in World War II and hear stories about local war hero Sgt. Ernest “Boots” Thomas, who first raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during the battle. Foundation President Troy Avera thanked all who gathered for the occasion, and by way of introduction said, “It's a wonderful thing that we remember this event and Boots Thomas, who i