The Last Flower: Una Despedida de Madre (a Farewell to Mother)

The Last Flower is the story of Jose Lozano, a young Mexican boy of twelve, who watches his family disintergrate when his mother contracts cancer. The story is in three parts.Part one is titled ‘Death’. Jose’s two younger siblings are given to a distant aunt while Young Jose remains with his mother to care for her every need until her death.Part two, ‘Leaving’, follows Jose through his school years where he develops a desire to come to the United States. We follow Jose’s illegal border crossing and his journey to Los Angeles, where he soon finds work.Part Three, ‘The Hammer of Thor’ finds Jose drafted into the US Army. Rather than be drafted, he enlists into the US Marines. Upon completion of his training, his squadron is sent to Vietnam. Jose volunteers for a mission to a Forward Operating Base, where he and his crew chief are instrumental in defending the FOB during a Viet Cong attack. He suffers terrible wounds but finds his heroism is rewarded with decorations for valor.