Semper Fidelis (Semper Fi): Reflections of a Veteran.

This year, the celebration of the Marine Corps anniversary was a deeply moving experience. Sharing this event with colleagues and directors from INL, who, together with veterans like those at Creative Corrections, LLC, lead crucial efforts in the fight against transnational crime, allowed me to witness once again an event that combines solemnity and discipline like few others. The ceremony, though festive and joyful, was filled with respect for the values that guide the Marines and for those who served before them. It was impossible not to feel pride and reflection as I watched these men and women salute their veterans with reverence, showing that loyalty and sacrifice do not end with the uniform but transform into an eternal commitment. During the silence of the formation, a Marine fainted, falling hard to the ground, which in Colombia’s military slang we would describe as "se despencó." This incident did not disrupt the solemnity; rather, it paradoxically highlighted even more the weight of duty, discipline, and faith that define these moments.

As the Marines honored their motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful), which guides every one of their actions, I couldn’t help but think of how this message could resonate in my own country, Colombia, where respect for those who have served does not always translate into concrete actions. It seems as if the experience of those who gave so much for the nation is often forgotten, despite being an invaluable resource. Recognizing their legacy would strengthen not only institutions but also the spirit of those who continue to serve, because “A soldier doesn’t die when he falls, but when his nation forgets him” (Douglas MacArthur). It is this disconnection that often weakens the moral and institutional fabric of a country.

The ceremony also led me to reflect on the current state of Colombia and the deterioration of security in recent years. Territories once reclaimed through sacrifice and blood are now facing violence we thought had been left behind. Although it is a difficult reality to accept, the reasons are clear. The current policy of negotiating with criminal groups, instead of strengthening the nation, is creating what was once called “republiquetas,” small territories controlled by illegal actors who are treated as equals to the State due to the concessions they are granted. “To give in to violence is to place criminals at the same level as the State” (Raymond Aron). The consequences are immeasurable. In just two years, the setbacks in security and the economy are equivalent to twenty years lost, multiplying by ten the negative impact the country faces. Even more alarming is that the government is encouraging the rewriting of history instead of learning from it, imposing narratives that distort the minds of the innocent.

What struck me most about the ceremony was how the values of loyalty and justice, which, in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, must not be sacrificed under the pretext of maintaining peace, were so palpable in every gesture. Allowing criminals to dictate terms is not only unjust but a betrayal of those who gave everything for the nation’s security. These moments of reflection led me to understand that the motto Semper Fidelis is not just a guide for the Marines but a principle aligned with deeper values: being faithful to justice, to duty, and above all, to God as the source of all strength and purpose. At the end of the ceremony, Semper Fidelis was not just a motto written on banners or repeated in speeches; it was a reminder that loyalty to duty and values never ends. My experience at this event not only reinforced my pride as a veteran but also made me reflect on how we must all, from those who serve to those who lead, remain always faithful, not only to the institutions we represent but also to the people who trust us to protect their present and build their future. The Marines call it Semper Fidelis. For me, it is the mission that can never be abandoned because it is guided by faith in a higher purpose that gives meaning to all sacrifice.

God above all things.