In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley captures the compelling true story not only of his father John Bradley but also of the five other Marines who planted an American flag atop Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima, Japan. These men simply raised a flag to mark their victory. However, with the help of photographer Joe Rosenthal, this particular moment was immortalized forever. Even on the very day of its first printing, The Photograph ignited unprecedented patriotism. Indeed, The Photograph would quickly become the most reproduced photo in history and the model for the world's tallest bronze monument. Yet, it would also be fundamentally misunderstood. In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley explains why.

00:15   A special Veterans Day podcast

00:25   Intro to James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers

00:30   Story of six men who fought in Battle of Iwo Jima and raised a flag on Mt. Suribachi

00:45   Moment immortalized by photographer Joe Rosenthal

01:05   Bradley, historical nonfiction author specializing in WWII Pacific Theater

02:10   “The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know.” – Harry S. Truman

2:30   Bradley unaware of his father’s part in WWII history and reality of Iwo Jima

03:45   Why veterans tend to not discuss war

04:30   Horrors of war incomprehensible and repulsive to civilians

05:45   “The real heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who didn’t come back.” – John Bradley

06:10   Flag-raisers put on tour by President Truman (survivors vs. heroes)

06:45   “Doc” Bradley’s friendship with bosom buddy Iggy, a clumsy misfit also from Wisconsin

07:15   When Iggy is tortured to death, “Doc” has to identify the body and inform the family

09:00   Book organized around biography of each of the six flag raisers

09:30   Sergeant Mike Strank works to get the “boys” home to their mothers

10:15   All the men accustomed to hard work and some form of religion

11:00   Marines turn small-town mama’s boys of the ‘30s into a fighting spearhead

11:30   Native American Ira Hayes – most prolific letter-writer of all; intensely shy; volatile

12:30   Difficult time to be an Indian; mocked as “Chief Falling Cloud”

13:15   Hayes very literate and articulate, but lives an interior life as a cotton picker

14:15   Bradley joins John Wayne on Hollywood movie set of The Sands of Iwo Jima

15:55   Who is San Franciscan photographer Joe Rosenthal?

17:00   Famous flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi actually a very ordinary, non-event

18:00   “It was the happiest moment of my life.” – John Bradley, speaking of the first flag-raising

19:00   Second flag raising, accidentally captured in Rosenthal photo, ignites the populous

19:45   The Photograph has electrifying effects at home, but not among the troops

21:00   Three surviving flag raisers enlisted to go on a bond tour to help pay for the war

21:10   Flags of Our Fathers movie by Clint Eastwood – fourth movie based on The Photograph

21:20   Fame of The Photograph emblazoned everywhere – Americana!

22:20   Famous photo is fundamentally misunderstood

22:45   “It was about as significant as going to the post box to pick up the mail.” – Rene Gagnon

24:10   Battle of Iwo Jima – one of the most vicious in all of history

24:50   James Bradley has a personal connection to Japan via Notre Dame program

26:10   Humble, quiet Japanese culture would have resonated with John Bradley

26:45   Bradley returns to Iwo Jima, Japan with mother and three brothers

27:35   “You can’t write about a battle until you walk the battlefield.” – Stephen Ambrose

28:15   John Bradley awarded Navy Cross for his actions on Iwo Jima

30:15   Takes Americans five days to get from beach to top of the mount

31:00   How John Bradley taught patriotism and religion in small-town Wisconsin

32:00   How the flag raisers want would want to be honored on Veterans Day

32:30   Recommendation: Taking Chance, a 2009 movie (historical war drama with Kevin Bacon)

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