DAPHNE, Ala.—Prudential Nichols Real Estate will host a memorial ceremony on this Veterans Day to dedicate the park within the I-10 Commerce Center in Spanish Fort to Sergeant E.I. “Boots” Thomas.

Some of the attendees and speakers at the flag raising ceremony will include the U.S. Marines and representatives from other branches of service, family members of Sgt. E.I. “Boots” Thomas, Col. Glenn Frazier (local author of “Hell’s Guest”), the head of economic development at Troy University, the Baldwin County Economic Development Board and local city and county officials.

Sgt. E.I. ‘Boots’ Thomas: A young hero’s extraordinary moment

On Feb. 23, 1945, a 20-year-old Marine Rifle Platoon leader, Sgt. Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas, serving with Company E, Second Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division of the Assault Troops of the 5th Amphibious Corps, reinforced United States Fleet Marine Force Division. Under heavy enemy fire, Boots Thomas led the first platoon of Marines up 556-foot Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

Before supporting tanks arrived to cover them, Thomas assumed command over his wounded platoon leader and led his men in an assault on a fanatically-defended and heavily-fortified hostile section at the base of Mount Surabachi. Thomas and his men overtook enemy forces and were the first to raise the stars and stripes. He encouraged his men to dig the flag in and guard it from the Japanese throughout the night.

Iwo Jima was of great importance to U.S. forces because it would move our bombers hundreds of miles closer to Japan and save American lives. A recipient of the Navy Cross, Presidential Unit Citation, and many other honors, Thomas was a native of Tampa and later resident of Tallahassee, Fla. His brother, Jack Thomas of the Montrose/Fairhope area, and other family members and friends keep his brother’s memory alive.

The developers of the I-10 Commerce Center have chosen to honor and remember this hero by naming the main boulevard Sergeant “Boots” Thomas Drive. In addition, plans include a park with commemorative plaques, flags and a nature trail of approximately 10 to 12 acres named in his honor in future phases.

Boots Thomas is memorialized in several books for his heroic action.

Two of these books are: “Flags of Our Fathers” by James Bradley and “Uncommon Valor, Common Virtue” by Hal Buell.