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<\/p>\nU.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel, who fought in World War II, had a special message for his fellow Americans as he turned 100 years old. Sadly, he broke down crying over the current state of our country.<\/p>\n
Much of what American soldiers fought for in World War II has \u201cgone down the drain,\u201d according to U.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel, who was interviewed as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Dekel says serving his country in WWII was the most important thing he ever did, according to Fox 13. But, he was far from happy about our country\u2019s current state of affairs.<\/p>\n
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U.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel (Credit: YouTube)<\/p>\n
The veteran and Silver Star holder said he wouldn\u2019t hesitate to put his life on the line again, but he regrets that the U.S. has slipped away from what he remembers. \u201cPeople don\u2019t realize what they have,\u201d Dekel said. \u201cThe things we did and the things we fought for and the boys that died for it, it\u2019s all gone down the drain.\u201d<\/p>\n
The decorated Marine went on to explain he doesn\u2019t recognize this country. \u201cWe haven\u2019t got the country we had when I was raised, not at all,\u201d Dekel said as he broke down crying. \u201cNobody will have the fun I had. Nobody will have the opportunity I had. It\u2019s just not the same and that\u2019s not what our boys, that\u2019s not what they died for.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Fox 13, the 100-year-old veteran went by many nicknames through his years \u2014 Buddy, Deke, Spur, to name a few. But, he knows himself as a Marine and an American. Dekel went to war in September 1940. \u201cThey shipped me straight out to Guant\u00e1namo, which was a Navy base, and put me in a machine gun company,\u201d Dekel recalled.<\/p>\n
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The medals hanging from WWII Marine veteran Carl Dekel\u2019s dress blues reflect 100 years of life, service, and sacrifice (Credit: YouTube)<\/p>\n
Among his many commendations, awards, and medals, Carl Spurlin Dekel said his \u201cpride and joy\u201d is his Silver Star. \u201cIt says \u2018gallantry in action,\u2019\u201d Dekel said, pointing to the star hanging over two rows of medals on his dress blues. \u201cIt was an honor for me to serve my country and if I had to do it again and I was the same age, I would do it. I guarantee you,\u201d he added. As fondly as he spoke of his memories of fighting for his country, Dekel admitted how difficult the struggles really were.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were scared all the time. I don\u2019t care what anybody says. We were vulnerable all the time, since Pearl Harbor, particularly,\u201d Dekel said, adding he was blessed to be brought home when so many died and that he tries not to question why. In the many years since the WWII veteran left the military, he has continued to make service his life mission, donating to food banks and participating in his community.<\/p>\n
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U.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel celebrating his 100th birthday with his family & friends (Credit: Screenshot)<\/p>\n
Dekel said he strives to always maintain a positive outlook, but sometimes reflects on the good in life and weighs it against the sacrifices made for it. He added that does hope current and future generations are able to appreciate the sacrifices of those before them.<\/p>\n
The Marine, who made it to 100 years old, also gave some positive advice. \u201cYou just remember everything\u2019s beautiful and live every day to the fullest. Just enjoy everything you possibly can,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd here I sit at 100. They tell me I\u2019m 100. I don\u2019t believe it sometimes. Because I don\u2019t need to worry about age. I\u2019m not going to, I just keep on keeping on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dekel\u2019s statements came the same day the U.S. lost the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from WWII. Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams, died at 98 years old. Williams, also a U.S. Marine, received his medal for heroism from former President Harry Truman during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
U.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel, who fought in World War II, had a special message for his fellow Americans as he turned 100 years old. Sadly, he… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n