MY FAMILY ASKED ME NOT TO WEAR MY UNIFORM TO MY GRANDFATHER’S MILITARY TRIBUTE BECAUSE IT WOULD “EMBARRASS THEM.” MY BROTHER TOOK MY DRESS CAP OFF THE TABLE AND SAT ME AT THE BACK. AN HOUR LATER A FOUR-STAR GENERAL READ A CITATION ALOUD — MINE — AND THE FIRST MAN ON HIS FEET WAS THE CEO MY BROTHER HAD SPENT ALL DAY TRYING TO IMPRESS.
For eleven years my family thought the Army was the thing I did because I couldn’t do better.
They had three facts: I enlisted, I’d been “away” a few times, and I’d hurt my hand on a vehicle door.
Two of those were wrong, and the third was a lie I told them to keep them comfortable.
Chapter 1: People Are Looking
I’m Avery Brennan, Staff Sergeant, and in my father’s house that rank made me the child who settled.
My brother Brett is a vice president at a logistics group, and my father recites his promotions like grace before meals.
