What are the fat man's convictions in this short story?

I do not think we know what his convicitions are.  We hear
what he says they are, but then we realize he's not really telling the truth about his
feelings.

He says he does not even mourn for his son
because his son died for his country.  This is a noble death, he seems to be saying and
so there is no need to mourn.  If this is how he really feels, it is a very patriotic
sentiment.  So you would say he is a true patriot.

But then
he breaks down when the woman asks if his son is really dead.  This tells me he didn't
really believe that stuff he was saying.

So I don't know
what convictions he has -- I just know he's a parent who is devastated by the loss of
his son.