Who is Carl Spurlin Dekel? WWII vet, 100, says what US soldiers fought for has 'gone down the drain'
A WWII vet celebrating his 100th birthday said that he beileves what American soldiers fought for in World War II has “gone down the drain". US Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel, who celebrated his 100th birthday last week, said that serving his country in WWII was the most significant thing he ever did.
Dekel said that he would put his life on the line again if he could. The veteran became emotonal while talking about how he believes the US is not the same anymore. “People don’t realize what they have,” the WW11 vetetan told Fox 13. “The things we did and the things we fought for and the boys that died for it, it’s all gone down the drain.”
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“We haven’t got the country we had when I was raised, not at all,” he said. “Nobody will have the fun I had. Nobody will have the opportunity I had. It’s just not the same and that’s not what our boys, that’s not what they died for.”
Who is Carl Spurlin Dekel?
Dekel, a Silver Star holder, went by nicknames like Buddy, Deke, and Spur throughout the years, but he knows himself only as a Marine and an American. He went to war in September 1940. The Silver Star, he says, is is "pride and joy". "It says ‘gallantry in action,’" he said. "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."
Recalling his struggles during the war, Delkel said, "We were scared all the time. I don't care what anybody says. We were vulnerable all the time, since Pearl Harbor, particularly." Dekel, after leaving the military, continued to make service his life mission. He donated to food banks and participated in his church community.
Dekel said that he hopes the future generations will appreciate the sacrifices of those who fought in the war. He also said that living 100 years could be the result of acknowledging frustration and refocusing on the positive. "You just remember everything’s beautiful and live every day to the fullest. Just enjoy everything you possibly can," he said moments later. "And here I sit at 100. They tell me I'm 100. I don't believe it sometimes. Because I don't need to worry about age. I'm not going to, I just keep on keeping on."
Dekel made these statements as the US lost the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from WWII. Hershel “Woody” Williams, who was a United States Marine Corps Reserve warrant officer, died on June 29, ages 98. The US Marine received his medal for heroism from former President Harry Truman during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.