06/22/2026
Most veterans can't name the man who earned the first Medal of Honor. 🎖️
His name was Jacob Parrott. Eighteen years old. An orphan. A cabinetmaker turned soldier.
He didn't earn it for what he did to the enemy. He earned it for what he refused to hand over, even after more than a hundred attempts to break him.
His medal now rests at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, and over 150 years later, the decision he made that day still has something to say to everyone who walks past it.
That's legacy. Not what you built or accumulated. What outlasts you, and what it teaches the people who come after.
For veterans in that 40 to 60 age range, the question is worth pausing on.
What do you want to survive you? And does your current financial plan, your estate documents, your benefit elections, actually reflect that?
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation. Joshua Brooks is a Certified Financial Planner and the founder of Exponential Advisors, a fee-only registered investment adviser. Exponential Advisors partners with Uprise for integrated tax preparation services. Exponential Advisors does not represent or speak on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, or any branch of the federal government.
Exponential Advisors is a financial advisor serving senior military officers and NCOs.