Thomas was born and raised in Escalante, Utah.   He didn't really know when Pearl Harbor hit until a few years later. He was only four when it happened. They did not have a car or truck so the gas prices did not matter.  Sugar and shoes were very expensive to buy. You got a little ticket so you could go to the store and buy a certain amount of sugar a week. They stopped making silk stockings. 

His hope for the young people of our nation today is that they can survive. He said that he would hate to be very young (13-14) right now that this is going to be trying times. His interpretation of  PATRIOTISM is that when ever you see a flag go by you should take off your hat and put your hand on your heart. He thinks that is someone does not do that are disrespectful to their country.