For years, the Columbus Day parade, held annually on October 12, has had a clear protagonist. And it is that all eyes are always on the well-known mascot of the Spanish Legion, the goat, which has become an emblem of this body of the Army.
Although this animal has been embodying its role for years and parading alongside the military forces, the truth is that very few people really know the story of how this animal came to occupy this important position. But why is the goat the symbol of the Legion and why does it appear in the National Holiday parade alongside the Armed Forces?
Why is the goat the mascot of the Legion?
The official mascot of the Spanish Legion is actually a ram, although in many of the parades in which it has appeared, a goat has been in charge of meating this role and walking alongside the legionnaires every October 12.
However, the origin of this tradition comes from long before this military procession began to take place. All this history began in the times when the troops were accompanied by cattle to ensure the supply of basic food. Thus, these soldiers could feed on the meat and milk of these goats, lasting the hardest moments.
Despite being used as sustenance, the military personnel ended up becoming fond of the animal on many occasions, which meant that this, beyond being used as sustenance, actually became another companion of the unit. Many of them ended up being pardoned and, over time, the goat ended up becoming the official mascot of the Legion and parading alongside the recruits in the Armed Forces parade.
The most exotic pets of the Legion
This animal is not, however, the only one that has become a mascot of the Legion. In fact, since its origins, this brigade has had numerous associated animaux, as it was common for expeditionary and colonial forces to choose them from among the native fauna of their deployment areas.
Among the most exotic, the Legion has had monkeys, common in the Ceuta area; the Sahara cake; ruins; parrots; wild boars and including a bone. However, the ram has become the most common and best known for its annual walk on October 12.
Thus, some of them, such as Pepe, the deceased 'emerita' goat of the Legion, or Miura, one of the protagonists of the latest parades, have been gaining importance and have become authentic icons that sweep annually during Hispanic Heritage Day .
