Flags Of Our Fathers, Chapter Two.

In Chapter 2, Bradley introduces the 6 main characters, the flag raisers. His father was one of the flag raisers. He was nicknamed “cabbage”, and was a vet of WWI. His mother was very catholic, and when he was 10 his little sister died after being badly burned when their house burnt down. He ended up enlisting in the Navy, but he hoped that he wouldn't have to battle on land.

James Bradley.

this is John Bradley from the movie.

Franklin Sousley grew up in Hilltop Kentucky. His mother and himself suffered from the deaths of his father and his sister. He is remembered by being a fun, daring and silly person. He was very handsome and was always popular.

This is Franklin Sousley from the movie.

Harlon Block grew up in Texas, in the middle of 6 children. His mom was devoted to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and wanted Harlon to believe in this too. The family grew up in the country, and moved to the city later on. Harlon stopped going to his Seventh-Day Adventist school and joined the Weslaco football team, and became a star.

This is Harlon Block from the movie.

Ira Hayes grew up on the Gila River Indian Reservation, he was the oldest of six children. His mom made him read from the bible, and made sure he was educated at the Phoenix Indian School. He was a quiet person, like a shadow figure.

This is Ira From the movie.

Rene Gagnon grew up as an only child after his mom divorced his dad. His dad was having an affair. So Rene grew up not knowing his dad. He was a very handsome guy, and he was drafted into the army. He also promised Pauline Harnois that he would marry her.

Rene From the movie.

Mike Strank grew up in Franklin Borough, Pennsylvania. He immigrated to the U.S. With his family. After the depression hit his town he joined the CCC, where he worked until he was 19. He decided to join the marines, even thought he could have avoided military service because of his Czech citizenship.

Mike Strank from the movie.

Flags Of Our Fathers, Chapter One.

The book that I am reading is Flags of our Fathers, by James Bradley. It is 353 pages, and 20 chapters.

CHAPTER ONE: Sacred Ground

Chapter One stars out with James Bradley on the beach of Iwo Jima. It talks about how James set aside his normal life for a few days in Rye, New York and made a commitment to the other side of the world. His dad is one of the main characters of this book, Jack Bradley. He then starts talking about how history turned for the six main characters in the story. The amazing picture that you had to have seen at one time.

 

This image, sort of blurred changed the soldiers fate. It made them hero's, even if they didn't make it home. This picture became the symbol for this battle. Three of the men were killed in battle, and the other three made it home. Even though they wish at times that they didn't. Jack Bradley was the only one of the six that went home and lead a normal life after the war was over. He married his thrid-grade sweetheart, have 8 kids, opened a funeral home, and joined a bunch of groups. He never talked about the battle, the flag raising, or anything that has to do with Iwo Jima. Whenever someone would ask him about it, he would always change the conversation, if someone called the house, he would have one of the kids answer, and say that he was gone fishing in Canada. When he never even fished. The Bradley children grew up with a good life, and they were happy. They never asked about Iwo Jima, even though they new about the photograph. James was the middle child, he didn't really know anything. Everyone told him that his dad was a hero, and he loved that about his dad, he believed it. He would always try to get his dad to tell him about it, but he never would. It was a boring topic for Jack. He would always tell everyone that they hero's of Iwo Jima are the ones that didn't come back. He almost succeeded in taking his secrets to his grave, but his wife and one of his children were looking for his will in his small apartment that he used as his small office. They found three old boxes that were full of things from Iwo Jima, all of the things that he got for being a flag raiser. They found many letters, even one that was supposed to be sent home. James was standing where the flag was raised, and could see the whole island. He goes on to talk about the Japense and more about the island. Read to get more details! (:

The first chapter sets up the whole story, but it does give away somethings that happen towards the end of the book. It pretty much foreshadows certain things.

1. The death of 3/6 main soldiers. (The ones that are in the picture.)
2. The return of soldiers.
3. Some of the things in the battle.