Semper Flies Foundation

We are a Non-Profit Organization, 501(c)(3) EIN #99-3870402, in the South Lake Tahoe area of California. We participate in, support, and host events raising awareness for veterans who battle PTSD, TBI, and depression. 100% of the information we provide is not from any clinical background we have, but rather from our own life experiences battling these conditions. We are not licensed in mental health and encourage anyone battling these conditions to seek professional help. We are committed to doing anything we can to Educate, Advocate, and Support any Veteran who served our country. Semper Flies Foundation is 100% Veteran Owned. All money brought into the foundation stays in the foundation. No one on the board, including the owner, collects a single penny.

"Stay in The Fight!"

-Semper Flies Foundation

Red military emblem with golden parachute wings.

Our Mission

E.A.S - Educate, Advocate and Support Veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI & Depression
Honor Cpl. Jason David Mileo
Support Other Veteran 501(c)(3)'s

S/F Bylaws

On January 1st, 2024, I decided to save my life. These are the bylaws that I use every day to keep me “In The Fight.” I am sharing this daily regimen that I have created for myself with you in hopes that it can help you, too. If I can help create a positive paradigm shift in a single Veterans life that helps them save it then everything I am doing is worth it. Saving Veterans that battle like I do is the R.O.I.

"Its okay that I am not okay": I had come to understand that the PTSD & TBI are as much as part of me as my arms and legs. I had to find comfort in the discomfort. I had to build a new me accounting for the permanent fixture of these conditions in my life.
"Get Stronger": Battling PTSD, TBI, and Depression is unfathomable weight. Just like going to the gym, I had to get mentally and physically stronger to lift these conditions every day.
"Healing": I came to realize that healing is not the absence of Pain, Misery, and Suffering; they never go away. Healing is the ability to sit with the trauma, the ability to carry it, and finally the ability to use it to help others.
"Choose your hard": I realized that sitting at home and staring out the windows was just as hard as fighting for quality of life. Both are hard. So, I “chose my hard” and am fighting for quality of life.
"Bar of measurement": I came to understand that I was using my trauma from Iraq as a bar of measurement regarding the worth of my life. The bar of measurement I use now is the life I am living today and the man in the mirror. I am not my trauma.
"No one is coming to save you": It was at rock bottom that I realized it was solely up to me to save and improve my life. I have had the most amazing support along the way from family, friends, and The V.A. But, its me that saves my life every day.
Its “You Vs. You”: I came to understand that the greatest and best competition is with myself. I quit caring about others’ opinions and started focusing on myself. Then and only then was I finally able to make progress in learning how to live with my PTSD, TBI, and depression. It’s a simple formula, “Improve yourself daily.” Always remember; “Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day.”
Its “The Journey” not “The Destination”: After I started the process of saving and improving my life I came to realize that the man I was becoming in pursuit of my goals was better than the goals themselves.
"Trust your path": I wasted years of my adult life wondering what my life would be like if April 14th, 2003, had happened differently. I understand now that I am exactly where God planned for me to be, doing exactly what He called me to do.
"Warriorship": Training your mind and body every day to always be able to protect yourself and those around you is a must. All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. Know this, being a Warrior is not just defense, it is also helping and serving others. A Warrior is in constant service to his community and those that cross his path. Seek Battle.
"Learn to love yourself": Literally, one of my greatest struggles. Learning to love yourself is one of the most masculine things we can do as men. I went through a heavy isolation phase when I decided to save my life. It was in this phase of my life that I learned who I even was. As I learned how to live with my conditions and improve my life I gained confidence; and finally learned how to love myself.
"Be Kind": Every person that crosses your path is going through something. The way we treat others literally has the power to save a life or drive someone towards ending theirs. Choose love. Be the reason that someone decides to “Stay in The Fight.”
"God is real": I am living proof that God is real. The message that always rests on my heart is this; if you believe that there is a God then you owe it to yourself, and to the ones you love, to find out what God has to say. The only way we can learn what He has to say is to open our Bibles. Literally, everything that you need to know about Jesus Christ is in that Living Word. Deuteronomy 30:19 “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

Soldier detaining a man during conflict.

Time Magazine April 28, 2003 Edition SSgt Guajardo J.M. Operating in Baghdad, Iraq.

Soldiers holding American and Marine Corps flags.

April, 2003 Baghdad, Iraq 1st Force Recon 5th Platoon This platoon would earn the name “Baghdad SWAT” for their operations.

Building on fire with military vehicles nearby.

Baghdad, Iraq 5th Platoon on patrol 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.

Soldiers sitting inside a military vehicle.

Baghdad, Iraq Sitting on pile of cash. Recovered during CQB/Bank Hits. 5th Platoon 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Baghdad SWAT

Digging In Direct Action Raid Safwan Hill, Iraq D-8 March 20, 2003

Fishing flies and hooks in crafting process.

Semper Flies was born in a residential PTSD treatment facility in Colorado. These are the 1st flys Jamie ever made.

Packets of yellow gummy candies on table.

The first 22 Semper Flies ever made. 22 Veterans a day lose their life to Veteran Suicide.

Man holding American flag in desert landscape.

March 20, 2003 Iraq Invasion Safwan Hill. 1st Force Reconnaissance Co. 5th Platoon SSgt Guajardo, Team Leader, Team #2

Jamie Guajardo Semper Flies Foundation Mobile HQ Battling PTSD & TBI everyday is ubiquitous & unrelenting. It can break you or make you. It is from these platforms/conditions that we can either fall or rise. I choose the latter. Choose the latter with me and “Stay, The Fight!”

Soldier posing outdoors in desert camouflage uniform.

Kuwait, Camp Commando Platoon Inspection Direction Action Raid Safwan Hill, Iraq SSgt Guajardo

Military commendation certificate with two people.

General Conway & Jamie Guajardo Babylon, Iraq Retrograde back to Kuwait Navy Commendation Medal “V” for Valor

Crisis line cards and Marine photograph display.

Semper Flies Foundation

1997 3rd Bn 4th Marines STA Platoon Scout Snipers Six members of this platoon would go on to operate in Iraq.

Five soldiers posing with rifles outdoors.

Green Side Patrolling Team leader #2 5th Platoon 1st Force Reconnaissance Co.

Diving Operations Team leader #2 5th Platoon 1st Force Reconnaissance Co.

Soldiers in combat gear with rifles ready.

Operating in Baghdad, Iraq. 2003 SSgt Guajardo Sgt Anderson

Jamie Guajardo Veterans Administration PTSD Hospital Denver, Colorado 2019

This is my father, Dan Guajardo Sr. He is a proud Vietnam Veteran. He was a radio operator in the United States Army. He has been battling PTSD for over 50 years and is a living and breathing example of “Stay in The Fight.” This is us getting ready for a Veterans Day Parade in Sacramento, CA. -PROUD SON.