According to U.S. Marine Carl Spurlin Dekel, much of what American soldiers fought for in World War II has “gone down the drain.” Dekel, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, stated that serving his country in WWII was the most significant thing he ever did. Despite his willingness to put his life on the line again, he expressed regret that the U.S. has strayed from the ideals he once knew.

Dekel shared his concerns with Fox 13, saying, “People don’t realize what they have. The things we did and the things we fought for and the boys that died for it, it’s all gone down the drain.” He lamented the changes in the country, noting, “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. It’s just not the same, and that’s not what our boys died for.”