Iwo Jima Marine veteran's last request for anniversary flag raising honored

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Arlington Heights Marine's last wish for Iwo Jima flag raising honored
Before Elwood "Woody" Hughes died on Feb. 1, he requested a flag raising to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- A veteran's last wish was honored Tuesday.

Before Elwood "Woody" Hughes died on Feb. 1, he requested a flag raising to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima.

RELATED: Iwo Jima Marine veteran dies at 95, was witness to flag raising on Mount Suribachi

Hughes was one of the last living Chicago area natives to have witnessed the American flag raising on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima.

He spent his final years educating people on the battle.

Veteran organizations across Chicago also raised the flag in Hughes' honor.

Hughes was 95 years old.