Flags of Our Fathers

I am currently reading Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley. The book is the story about the flag raisers on Iwo Jima in 1945 on and off the island. James Bradley is the son of John Bradley who was a Corpsman in the Navy and was one of the three surviving flag raisers. The book spends some time describing the battle but spends most of the time focusing on the impact the flag raising had on the Marines who raised it and the nation during the darkest part of World War II. The description of the contrast between the impact on the Marines and the nation is really brought to the surface. James Bradley expresses the effects battle has on the men that fought on the island as they were received as "heroes" but would never accept the title.

Reading this book makes me realize that veterans of World War II are passing away quickly and many of the amazing stories will be lost to history. Next time you see a veteran of World War II, thank them for their sacrafice. I know I am.