BEAUFORT, S.C. — A 71-year-old retired marine is hitting the road for a good cause. Rick Hermerlin plans to pedal across the U.S. to raise money for the Semper Fi Fund.
Semper Fi is the Marine motto. It stands for “Always Faithful” or “Always Loyal”.
Hermerlin plans to pedal his eliptigo bike from the south to the west coast in 100 days. He says because he is a former Marine, the cause is close to his heart and that’s why he chose Parris Island as the place to kick off this trip.
“They provide services, money, assistance, to the injured marines and other service men and women to assist them through their recovery from their injuries, mental, physical, anything they need and their families,” he said.
Even though the trip will be long, Hermerlin says he has experience in sports that take endurance.
“I’ve competed 100 marathons, 100 half-marathons, so I have a thing about 100, coast to coast in 100 days,” he said.
The retired Marine says his experience in the service will help him complete his task.
“As they say, once a marine, always a Marine and there’s no ex-Marines only former Marines,” he said.
Heremerlin hopes to raise $10,000 for the fund.
