Posted on 07/05/2024 10:36:45 AM PDT by george76
On the occasion of his 100th birthday, United States Marine Corps and World War 2 veteran Carl Dekle reflected on his long life and the blessings he’s enjoyed in an interview with Tampa’s Fox 13. The Silver Star recipient recalled the Battle of Guadalcanal and his gratitude that the Lord brought him home and says that he would do it again if he had to — and if he were the right age.
In full uniform for the interview, Dekle said:
“Most important thing in my life was serving my country. I don’t think I could take away from that…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.
…
“You just remember everything’s beautiful and live every day to the fullest. Just enjoy everything you possibly can. 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.”
As one of many in the “Greatest Generation” who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today, but one of the few still living, Dekle has a unique perspective on our country and what has happened to it over the years. He spoke about how beautiful life is and the world is, then broke down crying, saying, “This is not the country we fought for.”
On his 100th birthday, Marine and World War II veteran, Carl Dekel said he loves his country and that's why he's worried about the future of America. Watch and listen. pic.twitter.com/y1fensLA4C
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) July 2, 2022 “People don’t realize what they have … Nowadays I am so upset because 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 is going to hell in a handbasket. We haven’t got the country we had when I was raised, not at all.”
He also made a powerful statement regarding the direction that the United States of America is headed:
“Nobody will have the opportunity I had … That’s not what our boys, that’s not what they died for … It’s just not the same. That isn’t what we fought for.”
Watching this man who sacrificed so much for our country, who watched his brothers-in-arms die for it, weep, believing it was in vain, is heartbreaking.
As America gets ready to celebrate 246 years of independence, a FOX News poll showed that just 39 percent of Americans are proud of the country today, compared to 69 percent of people proud of the country in June of 2011. An astounding 56 percent say they are not proud of the country today.
Former congressman Sean Duffy explained why people should be proud of the United States of America, including the fact that veterans such as Carl Dekle fought for our country, for the freedoms our country offers:
“When it comes down to it, we need to be proud of who we are. Don’t let anyone tell you or your kids that we should be ashamed of this country, because there’s so much to be proud of. Since 1776, the United States has only grown stronger and stronger and stronger. We’re the most innovative and creative country in the world.”
Although the polls may seem grim this year, we live in the greatest country on earth. Even those who bash the country remain in America. The freedoms that Dekle and his generation fought for are the reason why people are able to criticize America while simultaneously enjoying the country’s benefits.
“We’re the land of opportunity. People travel far and wide to come right here to America. We’re the most generous country in the world. We give and give to other countries who aren’t as fortunate because we want to help people.” Duffy continued. “What other country sends their young men to other parts of the world to fight, not for power, not for money, but solely for other people’s freedom? And we’re the most free country on this earth.”
There are millions of citizens who are proud to be an American. They will fight for her like our veterans, our heroes fought for her. America will always be the land of the free and the home of the brave. We must preserve the American Dream. Times may be difficult now, but when times were difficult for our heroes, they did not give up. They fought, fought for our freedom, fought for the American Dream, and fought for We The People, and won. As Ronald Reagan said:
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
The American Dream is alive and well. We live in the land of opportunities. We can’t take the freedoms we have for granted, as these freedoms are not free. We must preserve the land that we love and cherish.
Postscript: Sergeant Carl S. Dekle passed away in August 2022. The article has been updated with the corrected spelling of his name.
He and his co-soldiers preserved freedom for his generation and that’s good enough. Their kids and grandkids are responsible for their own generations.
Earth Day co-founder : Ira Einhorn, self-described pacifist, murdered and composted his girlfriend Holly Maddux in a trunk, left her inside his apt for 18 months..
In 1988, Fred Maddux, the once proud and gregarious ex-member of the 82nd Airborne that had parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, took his own life. “He was depressed and angry,” says daughter Buffy. “He just finally gave up. Through the last nine years of his life, he was racked with guilt, wondering if there was something he could have said or done to prevent Holly from going so far away from home. He never forgave himself.”
Arlen Spector and other officials let the murderer of his eldest daughter out on bail and when Einhorn left the country, neither Arlen Spector nor anyone in the government seemed to wanted to pursue the murderer Einhorn and bring him to justice while Fred Maddux was alive.
https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/a-killer-abroad-6395371
I’d take Carl Dekle for President over FJB any day. He’s far more cogent and capable. Most importantly, he knows what his fellow Marines fought and died for and this wicked and weak culture ain’t it!
Yup, they fought against Nazis, now we support Nazis.
I knew I remembered hearing about this some time back. This is from a couple of years ago.
Well Generations after the Greatest generation didn’t understand anything as the Greatest generation did their offspring no justice by shielding them from how to keep the Nation safe from all dangers.
I think a lot of Republicans secretly disagree. But they pretend to agree with many of the Left's premises, so as not to appear racist or a hater.
bttt
Although I miss him every day, I’m glad my Dad (WWII, China, Korea, Vietnam) didn’t have to see this.
Sadly all generations feel the same. My kids don’t even want children, I said then don’t. This world is a mess.
I know what you mean. The worst part is how many fake conservatives helped the liberals do it.
RIP Carl Dekle.
It was for a while there...I guess.
My WWII vet father, who passed away in 1988 would have agreed with him. My Dad would have been shocked at the way things are now in this country.
The way civilizations go... D’Tocqueville said America would end up liberal, and I think that is true, despite whatever party gets into power now and then. A big part of the problem is that liberalism is secular, and many people don’t believe in God anymore. That means there is nothing above man’s own petty greed and ego, and this ultimately leads to a cynical point of view and the tyrannical domination of the few over the many. Liberalism will lead to state worship — as a substitute for God — and the right and dignity of the individuals will perish. So this experiment in individual freedom might be over very quickly, depending on the quality of its citizens.
And to think. These men fought the commies and Nazis. Now both commies and Nazis are the democrat party.
I think exactly the same thing every day !!!
“I think exactly the same thing every day !!!”
I try not to think it, it’s nauseating. All the sacrifices. All the deaths. For what ... this?
The single greatest life altering ,tumultuous event in human history. A six year cataclysm humanity barely survived to defeat the greatest evil evil in history, the Nazis and you’re right.
They’ve been resurrected here on American college campuses.
There’s just no words. Good God.
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