US Marine celebrates 100th birthday in mourning of the lost country he fought for during WWII

U.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel fought bravely and honorably for his country during the Second World War. A country that he believes no longer exists.

In an interview on his 100th birthday, the Marine shares stories of his feelings about service and the current state of the country.

Dekel is proud of his service to his nation, being part of the Greatest Generation who fought fiercely to fend off totalitarianism and protect our country from foes abroad. He states adamantly that he would serve his country again today if he had to.

“It 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,” but he also reflects on the fear and uncertainty that came with service.

“We were scared all the time. I don’t care what anybody says. We were vulnerable all the time, since Pearl Harbor, particularly.”

Yet, in spite of this pride in service, Dekel breaks down in a heartbreaking display when he discusses the current state of the nation.

“I’ve lived a good life. I’ve had a lot of love and happiness.” Dekel stated.

“I sincerely believe in this whole world, that everything is beautiful,” he continues.

“But people don’t realize what they have. They b–ch about it.” Dekel goes on, visibly upset. “And then nowadays, I am so upset that the things we did and the things we fought for and the boys that died for it, it’s all gone down the drain. Our country’s gone to hell in a handbasket. We haven’t got the country we had when I was raised. Not at all. Nobody will have the fun I had; nobody will have the opportunity I had.”

“That’s not what they died for,” he says, on the verge of tears.

This interview may be intense to watch, as a 100-year-old veteran breaks down talking about how different our country is now from when he fought for it. How much worse, in his opinion, things are. And how much was sacrificed for a dream which did not see fulfillment.

This Independence Day, think about how much has been sacrificed in the name of this great nation. In the name of the American dream. Dekel’s generation was neither the first nor the last to fight and sacrifice for our future as Americans, and certainly, he is not the only veteran who feels the nation has gone downhill since his youth.