R. Lee Ermey, known to most fans simply as the "the Gunny," was host of The Sportsman Channel series "Saving Private K-9." (Photo courtesy Sportsman Channel.)
R. Lee Ermey, or “the Gunny" as he’s known from his most famous acting role as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in the legendary 1987 Marine film, “Full Metal Jacket,” died April 15, 2018, in his home state of California from complications with pneumonia.
The Vietnam vet and staff sergeant was buried on Friday in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Marines from Marine Barracks Washington line up waiting for the funeral procession in the newly opened section 82 in Arlington National Cemetery, where R. Lee Ermey was laid to rest Jan. 18. (Andrea Scott/Staff)Prior Marine Staff. Sgt. R. Lee Ermey lived his life in a way that was “outspoken, rebellious, and creative," as his obituary states, even until his last breaths at 74 years old. (Andrea Scott/Staff)Marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington help conduct military funeral honors for honorary gunnery sergeant and Staff. Sgt. Ronald Lee Ermey in Section 82 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 18, 2019. (Elizabeth Fraser/Army)Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green, 18th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, helps conduct military funeral honors. (Elizabeth Fraser/Army)A bugler from the United States Marine band, the President's Own, sounds "Taps" as part of military funeral honors. (Elizabeth Fraser/Army)Marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (8th and I) fold the U.S. flag during military funeral honors for Ronald Lee Ermey in Section 82 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 18, 2019.
(Elizabeth Fraser/Army)Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green (left), 18th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, presents the U.S. flag to Marianila Ermey during the funeral for her husband of 38 years, Ronald Lee Ermey. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)A member of the Young Marines attends military funeral honors for U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Lee Ermey in Section 82 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 18, 2019.
(Elizabeth Fraser/Army)Marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington march off during military funeral honors. Ermey served for 11 years in the Marine Corps, including 14 months in Vietnam, before being medically discharged in 1972. (Elizabeth Fraser/Army)The firing party from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (8th and I) march off following the conclusion of military funeral honors for U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Lee Ermey in Section 82 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 18, 2019.
(Elizabeth Fraser/Army) (Photo taken in color and turned to black-and-white)Clint (left) and Betty (right), children of Ronald Lee Ermey, speak during his funeral in Section 82 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 18, 2019.
(Elizabeth Fraser/Army)
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.
