Semper Silence is a fictional novel written by M. G. Rigau, and is loosely based on actual events during the harsh years of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The story follows Noah Barlow and the characters he meets throughout his 26 years of service in the United States Marine Corps.
How long should he remain silent? A retired Marine, if he spoke out, could he still be held accountable and punished? If he didn’t, was he being fair to himself and his fellow comrades in arms? Those who demanded silence from this unjust law, if allowed to stand, would also control history. It would be a shame for the real history, the real story, of acceptance, the saga, struggles, valor, and contributions of so many men and women who gave up so much to serve their country, to not be told. The real history imposed on patriots who did not seek fame, fortune, or notoriety. Those who only wanted nothing more than to serve their country. The memory of those muzzled, yet who paid the ultimate sacrifice, could never speak out again and would be lost to the hands of time.

~ Noah sat up and reached over to a picture on the desk. It was the last picture of him in his dress blue uniform. Time was already starting to fade the memories. So much had changed, including his hair that now had a touch of gray. Was it now time to break the restraints, remove the invisible gag, and let real history be told to the world? A quote he heard so many times came to mind, “Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.” Regardless of the outcome, for posterity, the names and stories needed to be recorded. It was time to speak out for them. These warriors’ voices should not remain in “Semper Silence.”

"Be careful when asking someone to keep a secret...THEY can become good at it!"