LÉGION'ARTS
The “Legio Patria Nostra” Project
1/3 The Blue Squadron
By Louis Perez y Cid
The Puyloubier Veterans Association has set itself a specific mission: to bring to life, through concrete actions and on a daily basis, what “Legio Patria Nostra” (LPN) means.
The Capitaine Danjou estate in Puyloubier is much more than just a place. It is unique in the world. We consider it a rallying point, a “zero kilometer,” PK0, of Legionnaire solidarity.
But Legionnaire solidarity only has meaning when it is translated into action. This is why “Legio Patria Nostra” must be a requirement for us, a way of acting and remaining faithful to those who have served.
The LPN project is structured around three priorities:
• with the Blue Squadron, to take more concrete action with the residents of the IILE;
• With the PK0 of Solidarity, contribute to the living conditions of the residents and, more broadly, support the institution;
• With the Pantheon of the Legion, make the Legion Square in Puyloubier a major site of remembrance and gathering.
This first section is dedicated to the Blue Squadron.
The Blue Squadron
Serving Again, Differently
Some names carry within them a history and a memory.
It is in this spirit that we chose to name the women's section of the AALE in Puyloubier, composed of wives and widows of former legionnaires, "Blue Squadron."
This name refers to the female ambulance drivers who, in the aftermath of the Second World War, crisscrossed the roads of Eastern Europe to reach numerous isolated or scattered French soldiers. Before the Iron Curtain closed on Europe, they were among those who went to retrieve our loved ones and helped bring them back to France.
Our work is obviously of a completely different nature. But we wanted to retain from this history the same concern for those who served, and a simple idea: not to leave our own alone.
Today, the women of our Blue Squadron no longer travel in ambulances. Two afternoons a month, they meet with the residents of the IILE (Institute for the Integration of the Elderly) to offer them moments of relaxation, conviviality, and sharing.
Games, snacks, conversations, activities, or simply a few hours spent together—these gatherings are sometimes very simple. They are no less precious for it.
Because behind each resident, there is a life story, years of service, memories, comrades, and a history that deserves to be heard and respected. Wives and widows of legionnaires, the members of the Blue Squadron also know, through their own experiences, what commitment, absence, and the bonds forged around the Legion represent. Their presence among the residents is one way, among others, of extending these bonds and keeping alive a certain idea of loyalty.
The Blue Squadron of yesteryear reached out to men scattered by the war, before Europe was divided behind an iron curtain. Today's squadron no longer crosses borders. It simply crosses the threshold of the IILE twice a month.
But, fundamentally, the gesture remains the same: to reach out to our own.
It is this quiet, unassuming loyalty that we wish to keep alive within the Puyloubier Association. To serve again, in a different way.
Some names carry within them a history and a memory.
It is in this spirit that we chose to name the women's section of the AALE in Puyloubier, composed of wives and widows of former legionnaires, "Blue Squadron."
This name refers to the female ambulance drivers who, in the aftermath of the Second World War, crisscrossed the roads of Eastern Europe to reach numerous isolated or scattered French soldiers. Before the Iron Curtain closed on Europe, they were among those who went to retrieve our loved ones and helped bring them back to France.
Our work is obviously of a completely different nature. But we wanted to retain from this history the same concern for those who served, and a simple idea: not to leave our own alone.
Today, the women of our Blue Squadron no longer travel in ambulances. Two afternoons a month, they meet with the residents of the IILE (Institute for the Integration of the Elderly) to offer them moments of relaxation, conviviality, and sharing.
Games, snacks, conversations, activities, or simply a few hours spent together—these gatherings are sometimes very simple. They are no less precious for it.
Because behind each resident, there is a life story, years of service, memories, comrades, and a history that deserves to be heard and respected. Wives and widows of legionnaires, the members of the Blue Squadron also know, through their own experiences, what commitment, absence, and the bonds forged around the Legion represent. Their presence among the residents is one way, among others, of extending these bonds and keeping alive a certain idea of loyalty.
The Blue Squadron of yesteryear reached out to men scattered by the war, before Europe was divided behind an iron curtain. Today's squadron no longer crosses borders. It simply crosses the threshold of the IILE twice a month.
But, fundamentally, the gesture remains the same: to reach out to our own.
It is this quiet, unassuming loyalty that we wish to keep alive within the Puyloubier Association. To serve again, in a different way.