Reflecting on... Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis, often shortened to ‘Semper Fi’ is the motto or ‘words to live by’ of the United States of America Marine Corps but it is so much more than that – the Marine Corps is the embodiment of this adage; it is who they are, what they do, why they fight, why they survive and why they are a force for good. The direct meaning is ‘Always Faithful’ or ‘Always Loyal’ but quantifying that loyalty, especially in this context is unfathomable. These people are dedicated beyond loyalty to their country and I have a great admiration because of this. I have no associations with the heroic men and women of this benevolent force, or any other government assembled agency or organisation is the USA or anywhere else; however, I identify with their loyalty to cause. These words are sacred to Marines; words to live and to die by… a loyalty worthy of defending. I can’t imagine the bond that these words form between members of the military that are currently fighting for peace; the camaraderie and bravery it inspires. My understanding of this loyalty is at best empathetic but how I can identify with it is my loyalty to the earth.

I chose to write about this initially because I am addicted to TV shows such as NCIS and when I hear the words “Semper Fi” in the script, it fills me with something – pride and comfort; as I’m not American or even military, for any words to do that, they mean something special. Now, as I write this, it has taken on another meaning – hope! This world, our world, needs words like that right now. Humanity needs hope because it is fading from the world and any words which bring it back, whether fleeting or sustainable are worth highlighting and sharing. Most people, if asked, would consider themselves ‘good’, determined by a moral compass, devotion to deity or just a conscience which is why it is so unbelievable that on a global scale, famine, poverty, disease and war are more prevalent now than ever before. Semper Fidelis won’t eradicate the evil in the world, but it will provide the hope that things can get better.