MOCKSVILLE - The exercise, such as it was, started in good fun.

It was supposed to be a one-question poll, and ultimately a reminder of sorts about the prominent role played by a local man in one of the most consequential days in U.S. history.

Ever heard of Thomas Ferebee?

But we asked the wrong -- or right -- person right out of the gate.

“Thomas Ferebee …,” Marcia Phillips said, repeating the name for emphasis. “The bombardier on the Enola Gay. One of our favorite sons here in Davie County.”

Of course, Phillips knew. She wrote a book about the man after all.

And with Wednesday being the 80th anniversary of the day Thomas Ferebee helped end World War II when he released a nuclear bomb over Hiroshima, she was more than happy to share some of the things she’s learned.

“Thomas Ferebee

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