'We haven't got the country we had when I was raised': 100-year-old veteran worried about America

**Note: this story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of the subject's name, Carl Dekle.

[junko]

If a man raised through the great depression is scared for the future, we should be twice as horrified.

[non]

R.I.P Carl Dekle. He died 2 months after his 100th birthday. (1922-2022)

[bostonsfuntime]

It makes me sad that we are the last generation that can still talk to these legends

[connorsmith]

This is why I try to push myself further each day as a 32 year old. I want to spread love and truth with every breath

[charliecooper]

“That’s not what our boys died for” was deeply upsetting to hear

[Monte]

We sold out our people a long time ago. He was referring to a time when you can buy your own home, go to college, and raise a family with a regular paying job and not have to become a debt slave. The America he remembers was truly the American dream. Idk what we are living in now. Everyone at each other's throats, alot of folks are living paycheck to paycheck. We are all blaming each other

[concert_rat]

That was absolutely brutal. He never should’ve had to see the destruction of the country he fought for.

[MShmalamala]

There's a book called "The Unknown Warriors" that was published in 2012. It's basically filled with hundreds of British WW2 vets saying the exact same thing this man is saying, but they get very specific.

[zanehudson]

“A man doesn’t cry because he’s weak, but because he’s been strong for too long.”

[dextroamphetamemes]

When a 100-year-old Marine breaks down into tears and says that the land young men and boys died for is gone, you know your country has severely lost its way.

[VogelVogel]

You were a great man. Everyone will appreciate you, from the day you were born to the end of our world. Thank you for the service.

[jotox-ypxx]

Nothing must hurt more than realizing the hell you and your buddies bled through was all playing into the hands of people who hate you.

[Rbinahd]

I grew up in the 90s and the world I knew is long gone never to return. I can only imagine how this man feels.

[joesalvator]

I'm only 44, and I think it's insane how much the country has gone down hill just in my lifetime.

[carter]

He just passed away five days ago on 8/9/2022. Rest In Peace, sir! Thank you for your service to this country; I hope that one day we can make you proud!!

[thatoneguy]

Rest in peace, Marine. You fought for what you believed in, and you fought with honor.

[SrNutritivo]

I´m Spanish and I'm not sure why YouTube recommended this to me, but I am deeply moved by this video. Young people like me don't really appreciate what we have as we have grown in already prosperous developed countries with more or less mature democracies. We take a lot of things for granted. We forgot that all we got is thanks to the blood and sweat of the great people that preceded us. We should be more humble, and grateful, and take great care of the legacy of people like this man.

RIP Carl Dekle.

Blessings for you all.

[Skylinez]

I mean, the enemy he fought was trying to prevent this to happen

[r.fo.]

America is this man’s first love. He fought for her, became brave for her, protected her. I can’t imagine the pain someone would be in if the most precious thing to them, the one thing they’ve fought for their whole life, is going down the drain

[MetallGecko]

He seems like a true Soldier, he fought because he loved what was behind him and not because he hated what stood in front of him.