Eli smiled. This boy had really done his research. It was good to see that someone was. Although Eli had gotten several medals and various service ribbons while in the service, he didn't have them prominently displayed and he really didn't talk about them much. "You're correct, young man. I did get a Purple Heart. Deserved it, too. I took a hit right here," he indicated a little line down the place where his left shoulder met his chest. "Hurt like hell, but it was better than what would've happened if the bastard's aim had been a little better. I didn't come to the island right away, though. I made good use of the GI bill first. Spent nearly eight years getting all sorts of science degrees." And working with Kayleigh, he thought, his smile fading as sadness crept into his eyes at the memory of his late wife.
It only lasted a few seconds, though, and soon he shook himself and looked back at Sebastian. "This island hasn't been populated for all that long, son. I'd say people have only been living here about... oh... thirty or so years, probably even a little less. I was one of the first people in this town, after all. I should know." How perfect. A smart boy like Sebastian would (hopefully) mull this over at some point in the future and consider it strange that the town was only a few years older than he was. A little shadow passed over his face at Sebastian's mention of travel - anger mixed with sorrow. The poor children were young. They deserved to have fabulous misadventures in Europe and other countries like all the other children. Hell, they deserved to go on vacation to places other than each other's houses. It was no wonder that some of them were starting to try to run away. "You should. I can recommend some places when you're ready to go."