GALLIA COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The few, the proud, the Marines - it's a badge of honor many strive for, but only a few achieve.

But for one young man fighting for his own life, he never lost his dream of fighting for his country.

Despite his inability to walk or even talk, this young man still obtained an honor typically reserved for the elite.

Ernie Stumbo is like most dads -- proud of his son's achievements and eager to sing his praises.

"He was an accomplished drummer and a good student, too, with a 3.4 GPA and participant of the Quiz Bowl," Ernie said.

At the start of this year, Dylan Stumbo, just 15, was on top of the world -- living the American teenager's life. In February, though, some strange symptoms crept up.

"He had headaches and some problems hearing," Ernie said.

In June, the Stumbos' world came crashing down -- Dylan had inoperable brain cancer and was deteriorating quickly.

Now, despite Dylan's inability to walk or even talk, he's enjoying a crowning moment -- his lifelong dream of being a Marine.

"I want to give you my chevrons that I carried with me in Iraq," said Sgt. Matthew Wilks, a recruiter with the U.S. Marine Corps. "I haven’t given anyone else my chevrons, so I would be honored if you would accept them."

Andrew Hunt is Dylan’s nurse’s aide at Scenic Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He knows Dylan’s every wink, nod and movement and knew this would be just the boost he needed.

"I saw lots of smiles and that’s really good for him in his condition," Hunt said. "It’s good for him to experience some happiness."

And just as Dylan receives encouragement, he's touched many hearts including Ron McCarty’s. He visits regularly on behalf of a local church.

"Here I came to help him and he’s helping me," McCarty said. "He brings out the best in people."

Ernie said, "He’s taught me that when you have a dream to stick to it and it can come true. He’s my hero. I wish I could be half as strong as him."

A hero with the courage to fight against all odds.

Dylan has a longtime friend who also dreamed of serving with him as a Marine. He is also currently fighting cancer.