In this post, our friend Christian discusses the very diverse interest our site generates, depending on the significance of the controversy it raises. He also clarifies the topics that may or may not appeal to our readers, as well as the standards we have naturally imposed upon ourselves. To illustrate his point, he also touches on more sensitive issues for us former legionnaires and opens a line of thought on command within the French Foreign Legion.
Antoine Marquet

By Christian Morisot
I am quite amused by the website traffic statistics for "Legion-arts." These statistics reflect the visitors' interest in the various topics covered, as evidenced by the significant fluctuations in traffic.

Despite this peculiarity, one point must be made clear: we never seek to boost our audience, and the volume of readers will never dictate the style or content of our writing. Our freedom comes at this price. Like painters (excuse the comparison), we paint our pictures according to our instincts and refuse to paint on commission.

This site truly belongs to legionnaires, veterans and young men, who have joined the Foreign Legion for a multitude of reasons. We hold very different principles from many of our peers and people our age. The song of the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion aptly illustrates, in part, our way of thinking: “Discipline in the Legion is of paramount importance; love for the leader, obedience, are of the purest tradition…” quite a program, which can only upset those who don't know what discipline means, and they are legion… Discipline? The ugly word has been uttered. I imagine it as carrying the rigor that accompanies love for the leader and obedience. But these values, preceded in a proud and serene march along the sacred path of trust by these pioneering trailblazers—whose names are rigor, serenity, word given, poise, availability, selflessness, honor and loyalty, bravery and generosity—will force you to an undeniable conclusion, prompting you to exclaim: “What a parade!”

It is said that the strength of those who command the Legion comes from the fact that they do not need to look back to know that their legionnaires are following them. Thus, commanding inevitably becomes a responsibility… An example of our freedom of thought was given during a recent discussion among us, in which some of us clung to our biases, holding very firm positions, regarding our own history during the Algerian War, and spoke about the orders given to their legionnaires by officers who intended to lead a revolt that was both personal and collective, convinced, rightly so, that their honor had been trampled and who considered themselves victims of an unacceptable injustice.

Our comrades perfectly understood the motivation of these great soldiers; what they understood less, or not at all, was that they could have led foreigners under their command, who had sworn to serve France with honor and loyalty, down a delicate and perilous path, into political engagement! To serve France! France alone!

We were there, at the very heart of the spirit that animates this site, whose sole purpose is to facilitate communication among us, and so what if observers outside our community watch us, hoping to find here or there some ill will or lapses in taste? We are not immune to such things, being imperfect. But we have so little to hide. The Legion made us free, however… disciplined enough and proud of our status as legionnaires, even in our imaginations, we cannot bite the hand that feeds us. We don't eat that kind of bread.

For a very long time, we have been accustomed to marching at the slow, steady, and sure pace of those who listen and watch serenely and confidently the hands of passing time. Long live our young people, they are remarkable, they too have things to say, and perhaps they already resemble us a little…
More Majorum forever!