"Uh, the folks in charge. The military officials."

He gestures at his own chest. "I think it's maybe from the medals and all."

He has no real idea, but it's not that important.

That next question feels like a slap, in an odd way he can't quantify. Not an intentionally harmful one--the kind of thing that wakes a dazed person up properly.

"Of course not." There's no anger in it, no resentment, nothing but simple surprise.