This is really sad. When my son was quite young, he used to watch Mail Call every week. I remember on one of the episodes, the question was asked why it looks like the American flag is flying backwards on the military uniforms. Ermy's answer was that if it flew the other way, it would look like we were retreating. He followed that comment up by stating in his over the top manner that the U.S. military never retreats. My son pulled his backpack out that he had a pin of the U.S. flag on and he turned it like the flag on the military uniforms. A few weeks later my sister was at our house and she told my son that his pin was on backwards. He promptly told my sister that if he pinned it the other way he would be retreating. He further said that the U.S. military does not retreat and neither does he. My sister never understood that comment. My wife and I almost died laughing.
When he was out of character, he appeared to be a very humble man. His message to young people in particular was how the military probably saved his life by keeping him out of prison. From what I recall him speaking, his life was not on a good path and joining the Marines straightened him out and gave him a sense of purpose.