Marines say 'Semper Fi' in response.
You are probably a Marine if you have this kind of exchange in your life.It is because you are not a Marine that you have never heard of it.It is interesting to know more about the meaning of the phrase, and the answer to the question: "What do Marines say in response to Semper Fi?"
There is a shortened version of the Latin phrase "always faithful or always loyal".The motto of the U.S. Marine Corps was adopted in 1884.It is meant to show the dedication and loyalty that Marines have for their country and fellow Marines after they become veterans.
John Philip Sousa composed the official march of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1889.The phrase is important to the Marines and in its shortened form, it gained some steam in World War II and is now often used among Marines.
Many Marines find it hard to put into words the meaning of Semper Fidelis.It means always faithful, just like its Latin roots suggest, but in reality it means so much more.
When he first joined the Marines, the Marine veteran from Guam thought of Semper Fi as "Always Faithful".When Marines were paid $21 a month, I thought it meant "Seventy-five dollars", but after we went into combat I realized it was actually "Hooray for me and screw you!"
Marines could greet each other with a strong Semper Fi in the morning or two veterans crossing paths in an airport could shake hands.It could be the last goodbye spoken to a fallen friend.
It shows the esprit de corps and Gung Ho.A mindset is a perspective, a mentality, and an attitude.It is a combination of a number of words.It means pride, anger, admiration, frustration, fear, resentment, sarcasm or snide.
The question is, what do Marines say when they hear the classic motto?
You would say Semper Fi in response.If you are greeted with Semper Fi while wearing Marines-related gear, it would be an appropriate response.