[Godwin1]

From his photo it looks like he is of mixed race. He’s just old enough to have been fathered by a GI in the closing days of the Vietnam War—he is 44, last Gis left in 73. He needed an interpreter, which probably means he is a fairly recent immigrant. And , from the story, he is not all there—sounds a little wacky. Probably had a rough time growing up in Vietnam: I have read that mixed-race kids are not treated well there. Sad.

[UnwashedPeasant]

Excellent analysis.

In his mind, maybe he thought he was defending these flags. Or maybe he just thought they were free and he liked them.

[A.A. Cunningham]

he is 44,

Which means he was born in 1968 or 1969.

last Gis left in 73.

Saigon fell on 30 April 1975.