Chapter 9: The Price of Telling the Truth
The name on the letter 9: The Price of Telling the Truth
The name on the letter was General Arthur Bell.
At the time of the flood, Bell had been the senior officer overseeing the training exercise was General Arthur Bell.
At the time of the flood, Bell had been the senior officer overseeing the training exercise that brought our patrol to Millstone Creek. He had approved the exercise schedule, signed the movement orders, and that brought our patrol to Millstone Creek. He had approved the exercise schedule, signed the movement orders, and received the initial weather briefing.
He had also been the man who called my father received the initial weather briefing.
He had also been the man who called my father after the rescue.
I remembered the conversation because I had overheard part of it while recovering at after the rescue.
I remembered the conversation because I had overheard part of it while recovering at the hospital.
My father had stepped into the corridor to answer his phone. His voice was low, but the hospital.
My father had stepped into the corridor to answer his phone. His voice was low, but the hospital walls were thin.
“No, sir,” he had said.
“She did the hospital walls were thin.
“No, sir,” he had said.
“She did what she was trained to do.””
A pause.
“I understand the consequences.””
Another pause.
“No, sir. I won't ask her to lie.””
what she was trained to do.””
A pause.
“I understand the consequences.””
Another pause.
“No, sir. I won't ask her to lie.””
When he returned to my room, his face had been pale.
When he returned to my room, his face had been pale.
I had assumed he was worried about Brody.
Now I wondered whether he had been speaking to the man who had ordered our patrolI had assumed he was worried about Brody.
Now I wondered whether he had been speaking to the man who had ordered our patrol to cross a dangerous creek.
Colonel Warren received the letter that afternoon. By the next morning, she had to cross a dangerous creek.
Colonel Warren received the letter that afternoon. By the next morning, she had scheduled a formal interview with General Bell.
I was asked to attend as a witness.
Bro scheduled a formal interview with General Bell.
I was asked to attend as a witness.
Brody was asked to provide a separate sworn statement.
General Haskett would bedy was asked to provide a separate sworn statement.
General Haskett would be present, but he was not permitted to direct the present, but he was not permitted to direct the questioning.
At 10:00 a.m., I entered a conference room at the inspector general's office and questioning.
At 10:00 a.m., I entered a conference room at the inspector general's office and found General Bell seated at the far end of the table.
He was seventy found General Bell seated at the far end of the table.
He was seventy-one, with silver hair, a broad face, and the kind of-one, with silver hair, a broad face, and the kind of posture that remained rigid long after retirement. He wore a dark suit and posture that remained rigid long after retirement. He wore a dark suit and a small American flag a small American flag pin on his lapel.
When I entered, he stood.
“Major Lennox.””
“General.””
He shook my hand.
“I remember you from the incident. You were injured, but you insisted on pin on his lapel.
When I entered, he stood.
“Major Lennox.””
“General.””
He shook my hand.
“I remember you from the incident. You were injured, but you insisted on speaking to the investigators.””
“I remember.””
He gestured speaking to the investigators.””
“I remember.””
He gestured toward a chair.
“I've read the notice of this interview. I understand there are toward a chair.
“I've read the notice of this interview. I understand there are questions about the route assessment and the command decisions made before questions about the route assessment and the command decisions made before the rescue.””
Colonel Warren opened her folder.
“General Bell, did you the rescue.””
Colonel Warren opened her folder.
“General Bell, did you authorize the patrol to proceed across Millstone Creek after the updated flood warning was received authorize the patrol to proceed across Millstone Creek after the updated flood warning was received?””
Bell adjusted his cuffs.
“I authorized the training exercise to continue.?””
Bell adjusted his cuffs.
“I authorized the training exercise to continue. The specific route was approved through the normal command process.””
“Did you The specific route was approved through the normal command process.””
“Did you know the crossing had been marked unsafe?””
“I knew there were concerns about water levels know the crossing had been marked unsafe?””
“I knew there were concerns about water levels.””
“Did you receive the warning sent at 6:42 p.m.?””
“I.””
“Did you receive the warning sent at 6:42 p.m.?””
“I don't recall the exact time.””
Warren placed a copy of the message on the don't recall the exact time.””
Warren placed a copy of the message on the table.
“Your name appears on the distribution list.””
Bell read the page table.
“Your name appears on the distribution list.””
Bell read the page.
“I received a great deal of correspondence that evening.””
“Did you.
“I received a great deal of correspondence that evening.””
“Did you read this message?””
“I cannot say with certainty.””
I watched him closely.
He didn't look nervous read this message?””
“I cannot say with certainty.””
I watched him closely.
He didn't look nervous.
He looked irritated.
The same expression I had seen on senior.
He looked irritated.
The same expression I had seen on senior officers who believed a question was beneath their attention.
Warren officers who believed a question was beneath their attention.
Warren continued.
“General, three soldiers nearly drowned during that continued.
“General, three soldiers nearly drowned during that crossing. Major Lennox entered the water four times to rescue them. One soldier's statement indicates that the patrol proceeded despite a warning that crossing.
Major Lennox entered the water four times to rescue them. One soldier's statement indicates that the patrol proceeded despite a warning that the crossing was unsafe.””
Bell looked toward me.
“I am aware of the crossing was unsafe.””
Bell looked toward me.
“I am aware of Major Lennox's actions. They were courageous.””
“Then why Major Lennox's actions. They were courageous.””
“Then why did the official report credit another soldier with the rescue?””
“The initial accounts were did the official report credit another soldier with the rescue?””
“The initial accounts were inconsistent.””
“Did you read the corrected statement submitted by Lieutenant Ruddock?””
Bell paused inconsistent.””
“Did you read the corrected statement submitted by Lieutenant Ruddock?””
Bell paused.
“I believe I was briefed on it.””
“Did you instruct General Hask.
“I believe I was briefed on it.””
“Did you instruct General Haskett to suspend the investigation?””
“I instructed him toett to suspend the investigation?””
“I instructed him to ensure that the reports were consolidated before any conclusions were reached.””
“Did you tell ensure that the reports were consolidated before any conclusions were reached.””
“Did you tell him to leave the route authorization unchanged?””
Bell looked down at the letter.
“I don't remember him to leave the route authorization unchanged?””
Bell looked down at the letter.
“I don't remember those exact words.””
Colonel Warren slid the letter from General Voss across the those exact words.””
Colonel Warren slid the letter from General Voss across the table.
“This correspondence states that the route authorization must remain unchanged because further review would raise questions table.
“This correspondence states that the route authorization must remain unchanged because further review would raise questions about decisions made at command level. It also states that you and General Voss knew who ordered the patrol about decisions made at command level. It also states that you and General Voss knew who ordered the patrol across the creek.””
Bell read the letter.
For the first time, his expression changed.
He placed across the creek.””
Bell read the letter.
For the first time, his expression changed.
He placed the page on the table.
“General Voss should not have written that.””
“Is it the page on the table.
“General Voss should not have written that.””
“Is it inaccurate?””
Bell leaned back.
“This was six years ago. We were operating under a compressed training inaccurate?””
Bell leaned back.
“This was six years ago. We were operating under a compressed training schedule. Weather conditions changed rapidly, and the command was under pressure to complete the schedule. Weather conditions changed rapidly, and the command was under pressure to complete the exercise.””
“That does not answer the question.””
He looked at Warren.
“I made a judgment exercise.””
“That does not answer the question.””
He looked at Warren.
“I made a judgment call. I believed the crossing could be completed safely.””
I felt my call. I believed the crossing could be completed safely.””
I felt my fingers curl against the table.
“You believed it could be completed safely after fingers curl against the table.
“You believed it could be completed safely after receiving a warning that it wasn't safe?””
Bell turned toward receiving a warning that it wasn't safe?””
Bell turned toward me.
“Major, military operations involve risk. Officers make decisions me.
“Major, military operations involve risk. Officers make decisions with incomplete information.””
“You had the warning.””
“We had an estimate of conditions.””
“And you chose to proceed.””
with incomplete information.””
“You had the warning.””
“We had an estimate of conditions.””
“And you chose to proceed.””
“Yes.””
The word was quiet.
But it was the first clear admission anyone had made.
“Yes.””
The word was quiet.
But it was the first clear admission anyone had made.
Warren wrote something in her notebook.
“Did you know Major Lennox's signature hadWarren wrote something in her notebook.
“Did you know Major Lennox's signature had been placed on the route authorization?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize anyone to use her been placed on the route authorization?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize anyone to use her name?””
“No.””
“Did you know the signature was disputed?””
“Not name?””
“No.””
“Did you know the signature was disputed?””
“Not at the time.””
“Then why did you tell General Haskett to leave the document unchanged?””
Bell at the time.””
“Then why did you tell General Haskett to leave the document unchanged?””
Bell's face tightened.
“I did not tell him to falsify's face tightened.
“I did not tell him to falsify anything. I told him not to alter the official record while anything. I told him not to alter the official record while the review was ongoing.””
“Even after the signature was challenged?””
the review was ongoing.””
“Even after the signature was challenged?””
“Especially then. Altering an original document without proper procedures would“Especially then. Altering an original document without proper procedures would have compromised the investigation.””
I looked at the letter.
“That sounds reasonable have compromised the investigation.””
I looked at the letter.
“That sounds reasonable until you realize the document was already wrong.””
Bell turned toward me.
“Major, you have until you realize the document was already wrong.””
Bell turned toward me.
“Major, you have to understand that command decisions are rarely as simple as they appear afterward.””
“I understand that people make mistakes.””
to understand that command decisions are rarely as simple as they appear afterward.””
“I understand that people make mistakes.””
I kept my voice steady.
“I understand that the weather changed. I understand that a patrol can encounter conditions nobodyI kept my voice steady.
“I understand that the weather changed. I understand that a patrol can encounter conditions nobody predicted. I understand that an officer can make a bad decision and still deserve a chance predicted. I understand that an officer can make a bad decision and still deserve a chance to explain it.””
Bell nodded, apparently relieved.
to explain it.””
Bell nodded, apparently relieved.
“But I don't understand why the truth had to be buried afterward.””
His expression hardened again.
“But I don't understand why the truth had to be buried afterward.””
His expression hardened again.
“No one intended to bury the truth.””
“Then why was Brody“No one intended to bury the truth.””
“Then why was Brody's corrected statement withdrawn?””
“That's a question for General Voss.””
“Why's corrected statement withdrawn?””
“That's a question for General Voss.””
“Why was my signature left on a document I never signed?””
“I cannot was my signature left on a document I never signed?””
“I cannot answer that.””
“Why did my father spend the rest of his life believing answer that.””
“Why did my father spend the rest of his life believing that telling the truth would destroy our family?””
Bell looked away.
For a that telling the truth would destroy our family?””
Bell looked away.
For a moment, I thought he might answer.
Instead, he said, “Your father moment, I thought he might answer.
Instead, he said, “Your father was a good man. He was placed in a difficult position.””
I felt a sharp pain beneath my was a good man. He was placed in a difficult position.””
I felt a sharp pain beneath my ribs.
“My father asked me to remain silent because he believed he could protect me. You all allowed ribs.
“My father asked me to remain silent because he believed he could protect me. You all allowed him to believe that.””
Bell looked back at me.
“Major him to believe that.””
Bell looked back at me.
“Major, your father was not under military orders. His, your father was not under military orders. His family decisions were his own.””
I stared at him.
There it family decisions were his own.””
I stared at him.
There it was again.
The familiar escape route.
Every person who had helped conceal the truth was again.
The familiar escape route.
Every person who had helped conceal the truth had found a way to make the next person responsible.
Brody blamed Charlene.
Charlene had found a way to make the next person responsible.
Brody blamed Charlene.
Charlene blamed my father.
My father blamed fear.
Haskett blamed the command process blamed my father.
My father blamed fear.
Haskett blamed the command process.
Voss blamed conflicting reports.
And now.
Voss blamed conflicting reports.
And now Bell was blaming a dead civilian for the consequences of a decision made Bell was blaming a dead civilian for the consequences of a decision made by senior officers.
I stood.
“Colonel Warren, I'd like my statement to reflect that General by senior officers.
I stood.
“Colonel Warren, I'd like my statement to reflect that General Bell has acknowledged receiving the flood warning, authorizing the exercise to continue Bell has acknowledged receiving the flood warning, authorizing the exercise to continue, and directing that the official record remain unchanged while the review was ongoing.””
Warren nodded.
“It will, and directing that the official record remain unchanged while the review was ongoing.””
Warren nodded.
“It will.””
Bell's expression turned cold.
“Major, I would caution you against drawing conclusions.””
Bell's expression turned cold.
“Major, I would caution you against drawing conclusions beyond the evidence.””
I looked at him.
“I've spent six years refusing to beyond the evidence.””
I looked at him.
“I've spent six years refusing to draw conclusions. I'm done doing that.””
I sat down again.
Colonel Warren continued the draw conclusions. I'm done doing that.””
I sat down again.
Colonel Warren continued the interview for another hour.
By the time we finished, General Bell had acknowledged that he had received the interview for another hour.
By the time we finished, General Bell had acknowledged that he had received the warning, that he had approved the exercise schedule, and that he had spoken with General Voss after warning, that he had approved the exercise schedule, and that he had spoken with General Voss after the rescue.
He denied ordering anyone to forge my signature.
He denied instructing the rescue.
He denied ordering anyone to forge my signature.
He denied instructing anyone to suppress Brody's corrected statement.
But he could not explain why anyone to suppress Brody's corrected statement.
But he could not explain why the signature remained on the document or why the final report omitted the statement that contradicted the official the signature remained on the document or why the final report omitted the statement that contradicted the official account.
The inquiry would have to determine whether those omissions resulted from negligence, deliberate misconduct account.
The inquiry would have to determine whether those omissions resulted from negligence, deliberate misconduct, or a combination of both.
When the interview ended, Bell gathered his, or a combination of both.
When the interview ended, Bell gathered his papers and stood.
He paused beside my chair.
“Major, I hope you papers and stood.
He paused beside my chair.
“Major, I hope you understand that I never intended for you to suffer.””
I looked up at him.
“Intentions understand that I never intended for you to suffer.””
I looked up at him.
“Intentions don't change what happened.””
He said nothing.
Then he walked out.
Bro don't change what happened.””
He said nothing.
Then he walked out.
Brody was waiting in the corridor.
He had completed his sworn statement earlier thatdy was waiting in the corridor.
He had completed his sworn statement earlier that morning. His eyes were red, and he looked as though the weight morning. His eyes were red, and he looked as though the weight of his own words had finally become heavier than the fear that had kept him silent.
of his own words had finally become heavier than the fear that had kept him silent.
“How did it go?”” he asked.
“Bell admitted he received the warning and“How did it go?”” he asked.
“Bell admitted he received the warning and approved the exercise.””
Brody closed his eyes.
“God.””
“He still approved the exercise.””
Brody closed his eyes.
“God.””
“He still denies knowing about the forged signature.””
“Do you believe him?””
“I denies knowing about the forged signature.””
“Do you believe him?””
“I don't know.””
Brody leaned against the wall.
“Erin, I don't know.””
Brody leaned against the wall.
“Erin, I need to tell you something before the inquiry goes any further.””
I felt the need to tell you something before the inquiry goes any further.””
I felt the familiar tension return.
“What?””
“When Dad found out about the signature, he asked me familiar tension return.
“What?””
“When Dad found out about the signature, he asked me to help him get the original form.””
I stared at to help him get the original form.””
I stared at him.
“You told me you didn't know where it was.””
“I didn't know where it was then. him.
“You told me you didn't know where it was.””
“I didn't know where it was then. But I knew who had seen it.””
“Who?””
“Mom.””
I waited.
But I knew who had seen it.””
“Who?””
“Mom.””
I waited.
Brody rubbed his face.
“She told me she'd seen the original in GeneralBrody rubbed his face.
“She told me she'd seen the original in General Voss's office. She said he had shown it to Voss's office. She said he had shown it to Dad and explained that the signature had been entered by someone in the planning section.””
Dad and explained that the signature had been entered by someone in the planning section.””
“Did she say who?””
“No.””
“Did Dad ask her to get a“Did she say who?””
“No.””
“Did Dad ask her to get a copy?””
“Yes.””
“And?””
“She refused.””
I stared at copy?””
“Yes.””
“And?””
“She refused.””
I stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because she said if the original form disappeared, him.
“Why?””
“Because she said if the original form disappeared, the Army would have no reason to keep investigating. She believed the safest thing the Army would have no reason to keep investigating. She believed the safest thing was to leave it alone.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Brody was to leave it alone.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Brody, that's not what I asked. Did she know who had, that's not what I asked. Did she know who had forged my signature?””
He looked at me.
“I think she did.””
“Based on forged my signature?””
He looked at me.
“I think she did.””
“Based on what?””
“Because she told me that if I ever admitted the truth about the rescue, I would what?””
“Because she told me that if I ever admitted the truth about the rescue, I would also have to explain why my name appeared beside yours on the route assessment.””
I felt the also have to explain why my name appeared beside yours on the route assessment.””
I felt the corridor tilt around me.
“Your name?””
Brody nodded.
“I never corridor tilt around me.
“Your name?””
Brody nodded.
“I never saw the final form. But Mom said both our names were on it.””
I stared saw the final form. But Mom said both our names were on it.””
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
“I don't know. Maybe someone was trying at him.
“What does that mean?””
“I don't know. Maybe someone was trying to make it look like we had both approved the crossing.””
“Or perhaps someone was to make it look like we had both approved the crossing.””
“Or perhaps someone was trying to make it look as though you were following my orders.””
He looked away.
“That's trying to make it look as though you were following my orders.””
He looked away.
“That's what Dad thought.””
I closed my eyes.
The forged signature might not what Dad thought.””
I closed my eyes.
The forged signature might not have been an attempt to blame me alone.
It might have been an attempt to make the entire incident look like a shared have been an attempt to blame me alone.
It might have been an attempt to make the entire incident look like a shared failure, leaving the command structure untouched failure, leaving the command structure untouched.
If both Brody and I appeared to have approved the crossing, the responsibility could be pushed down the chain of command, away from the officers who had received the warning.
And if Brody's false.
If both Brody and I appeared to have approved the crossing, the responsibility could be pushed down the chain of command, away from the officers who had received the warning.
And if Brody's false rescue story remained intact, he could be presented as a courageous soldier who rescue story remained intact, he could be presented as a courageous soldier who had acted under my supposed authorization.
The two lies supported each other.
One concealed the dangerous decision had acted under my supposed authorization.
The two lies supported each other.
One concealed the dangerous decision.
The other concealed who had saved the men who nearly died because of.
The other concealed who had saved the men who nearly died because of it.
“Why didn't you tell the investigators this?”” I asked.
“Because I didn't want them it.
“Why didn't you tell the investigators this?”” I asked.
“Because I didn't want them looking at the route assessment again.””
“Why?””
looking at the route assessment again.””
“Why?””
He looked at me, his eyes filling.
“Because I was afraidHe looked at me, his eyes filling.
“Because I was afraid they would discover that I had known about the warning before we left. I thought if they would discover that I had known about the warning before we left. I thought if they found evidence that both our names were on the form, I could they found evidence that both our names were on the form, I could claim I had been following your authorization.””
I stared at claim I had been following your authorization.””
I stared at him.
“You were willing to let them believe I had ordered the patrol into dangerous him.
“You were willing to let them believe I had ordered the patrol into dangerous water?””
He lowered his head.
“Yes.””
water?””
He lowered his head.
“Yes.””
The answer was barely audible.
For a moment, I couldn't look at him.
Then I stepped closer.
“Brody, I need youThe answer was barely audible.
For a moment, I couldn't look at him.
Then I stepped closer.
“Brody, I need you to understand something. You were not a child. You were an officer. You knew the warning existed.
You knew the crossing was dangerous. And to understand something. You were not a child. You were an officer.
You knew the warning existed. You knew the crossing was dangerous. And when the consequences arrived, you were willing to let me take responsibility for your decision.””
He wiped when the consequences arrived, you were willing to let me take responsibility for your decision.””
He wiped his eyes.
“I know.””
“You don't get to ask me to forgive you just because his eyes.
“I know.””
“You don't get to ask me to forgive you just because you're finally admitting it.””
“I'm not asking.””
“ you're finally admitting it.””
“I'm not asking.””
“Good.””
I turned to leave.
He spoke behind meGood.””
I turned to leave.
He spoke behind me.
“Erin, wait.””
I stopped but didn't turn around.
“Dad left something else.
“Erin, wait.””
I stopped but didn't turn around.
“Dad left something else for you.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“What?””
“A letter for you.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“What?””
“A letter. Not the one in the desk. Another one.
Not the one in the desk. Another one.””
“Where is it?””
“Mom has it.””
I turned.
“Why?””
“Because Dad wrote it after he.””
“Where is it?””
“Mom has it.””
I turned.
“Why?””
“Because Dad wrote it after he learned that General Voss had discussed the route assessment with her. learned that General Voss had discussed the route assessment with her. He told me he wanted it delivered to you if the investigation ever reopened.””
“Then why He told me he wanted it delivered to you if the investigation ever reopened.””
“Then why didn't you tell me before?””
“Because I didn't know whether it still didn't you tell me before?””
“Because I didn't know whether it still existed.””
I stared at him.
“Brody.””
He reached into existed.””
I stared at him.
“Brody.””
He reached into his pocket and removed his phone.
“Mom sent me a message this morning his pocket and removed his phone.
“Mom sent me a message this morning. She says she'll give me the letter if I agree to stop cooperating with. She says she'll give me the letter if I agree to stop cooperating with the inquiry.””
I felt cold.
“Show me.””
He handed me the phone.
the inquiry.””
I felt cold.
“Show me.””
He handed me the phone.
The message was short.
**Your father wrote things he never intended anyone toThe message was short.
**Your father wrote things he never intended anyone to read. If you continue helping Erin, I will make sure the truth about his final read. If you continue helping Erin, I will make sure the truth about his final months becomes public.
You have until tomorrow to decide what kind of son you months becomes public. You have until tomorrow to decide what kind of son you want to be.**
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Brody.
“What's want to be.**
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Brody.
“What's she threatening to reveal?””
He shook his head.
“I don't know.””
I handed the phone she threatening to reveal?””
He shook his head.
“I don't know.””
I handed the phone back.
“Then we're going to find out.””
That evening back.
“Then we're going to find out.””
That evening, Charlene agreed to meet us at her attorney's office.
She, Charlene agreed to meet us at her attorney's office.
She arrived carrying a small leather document case. Her lawyer, Peter Caldwell, sat beside her arrived carrying a small leather document case. Her lawyer, Peter Caldwell, sat beside her and made it clear that the meeting was not an and made it clear that the meeting was not an admission of wrongdoing.
General Haskett attended as a witness. Colonel Warren participated by admission of wrongdoing.
General Haskett attended as a witness. Colonel Warren participated by secure video connection.
I sat across from Charlene.
“Where secure video connection.
I sat across from Charlene.
“Where's the letter?”” I asked.
She opened the case.
Inside was a folded's the letter?”” I asked.
She opened the case.
Inside was a folded sheet of paper, sealed in a transparent sleeve.
“Your father sheet of paper, sealed in a transparent sleeve.
“Your father gave me this a month before he died,” she said.
“He asked me to keep it safe.””
“ gave me this a month before he died,” she said.
“He asked me to keep it safe.””
“Then why did you threaten Brody?””
Her face tightened.
“Because I wantedThen why did you threaten Brody?””
Her face tightened.
“Because I wanted him to understand the consequences of what he was doing.””
“The consequences him to understand the consequences of what he was doing.””
“The consequences of telling the truth?””
“The consequences of destroying his family.””
I stared at her.
“You keep using that word as if the family of telling the truth?””
“The consequences of destroying his family.””
I stared at her.
“You keep using that word as if the family is something that exists only when nobody speaks.””
She looked is something that exists only when nobody speaks.””
She looked away.
For several seconds, the only sound was the hum of the air conditioner away.
For several seconds, the only sound was the hum of the air conditioner.
Then she pushed the sleeve toward me.
“Read it.””
I removed the.
Then she pushed the sleeve toward me.
“Read it.””
I removed the letter carefully.
The handwriting was my father's.
Erin,
*I have letter carefully.
The handwriting was my father's.
Erin,
*I have spent too long believing that silence could protect you. It cannot. It can only postpone the spent too long believing that silence could protect you.
It cannot. It can only postpone the moment when you discover what everyone else already knows.*
May you like
I need moment when you discover what everyone else already knows.
*I need to tell you that I did not merely ask you to remain silent after the flood. I helped to tell you that I did not merely ask you to remain silent after the flood. I helped
