European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 2, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Alan Nam new York times m arching in Autagne France to the slow rhythm of their regimental song their White Epis glistening almost boastfully in the Sun the legionnaires lined up before a Monument proclaiming Honor and loyalty to commemorate a moment of heroism and sacrifice More than a Century ago. Then after the two hour Parade As officers gathered around wine bottles and the men skilled Beer it was time to Swap stories of combat and adventure a some True some embellished some invented a with Beme daled former legionnaires who never fail to show up for this annual occasion. Almost 160 years after its creation the foreign legion spends a lot of time in the past. It remembers its part in wars in Algeria and Indochina in two world wars in Europe and even a during the ceremony in Autagne every Spring a the courage of 60 legionnaires killed in Mexico in 1863 fighting in support of the doomed emperor Maximilian but with no wars to fight and no colonies to defend the foreign legion is also at a Crossroads today struggling to find a role for itself that goes beyond just maintaining the tradition of recruiting foreigners of dubious repute to defend France. Quot the foreign legion exists because people want it to exist Quot Chi. Pascal Malo Igne a 29-year-old Frenchman said acknowledging that an Aura of Romance still surrounds the corps. Quot on the july 14 Parade along the champs-elys6es, it always gets the biggest  but for its commander Gen Raymond Lecorre who like almost All the legion s officers is French there Are better reasons for keeping 8,000 men of 120 different nationalities in arms. Quot in Europe peace is not yet won Quot he said Quot and outside Europe there is much to be done Quot the legion still has soldiers stationed in Chad Djibouti and French Guiana mixing guard duty with social action although it is now 12 years since it last tasted glory when its paratroopers rescued 300 French and belgian mine workers who were being attacked by rebels at Kolwe i in Zaire. A but it is for just such an occasion that the legion continues to prepare itself As a rapid deployment Force. Quot there could be another Kolwe i tomorrow Quot Lecorre said. Quot that would be the sort of Job for the foreign legion and it makes it More necessary than  even with the Promise of action unfulfilled of late the legion has no trouble finding recruits. Quot since the algerian War the numbers have been around 55 percent foreigners to 45 percent French Quot Lecorre said. Quot but the share of foreigners has gone up to 60 percent in the last six  since the political upheaval in Eastern Europe there has been an influx of poles hungarians and romanians although britons and germans still represent the largest foreign contingents and almost every other nationality from american to chinese South african to peruvian yugoslav to australian is found. The question of Why they join is More sensitive in the past legionnaires were often fugitive criminals and to this Day recruits Are automatically Given new names a. And in the Case of French citizens new nationalities a to after 160 years the foreign legion parading on the champs Elysses in Paris maybe an anachronism. Be kept for at least three years once inside they feel Safe from prosecution. A a a but Lecorre insisted that a Long interrogation and a six month trial period weeded out the unsuitable with Only one in four applicants accepted. Quot we done to want violent criminals Quot he said. Another officer elaborated Quot we Don t take murderers. Someone who has stolen a car or committed a fraud Well that a different a a but Nany legionnaires seem to have other less. Apparent reasons for signing up Quot the majority Are people who have broken with their family society or political situations a Lecorre said. Quot they Are generally people who Are unstable who will remain unstable All their  a in the legion though they often find stability. Able to a it an Oid French foreign legion recruiting poster. A join Between the Ages of 17 and 40, their first contract is for five years. But Many stay for 15 years to obtain a pension and a few remain legionnaires to the age of 55, when if they choose they can move to the legions own retirement Home. In the process Many also become French citizens. Madeleine Lafargue a social anthropologist who is studying the legion said legionnaires were often Quot Tost souls Quot who found their identity in the common identity. Quot they re looking for the t and they find the we Quot she said. A the legion s Tough regime of training and discipline helps to build an Esprit de corps. Quot if you done to Havo a family the legion becomes your family Quot a Young englishman from Birmingham said recalling that he left after his first five year stint but returned Only months later. Quot things can be Boring in civilian  some legionnaires offer More simple reasons. Quot you learn a language you meet different people and you get a pension after 15 years Quot said another briton with a shaved head and impressive facial scars which he said were a result of a car Accident. Quot you can t find a much better Deal Back  distrust of outsiders though runs deep. Many legionnaires refuse to give even their pseudonym or explain Why they joined at the Headquarters of the legion at Autagne 10 Mitos East of Marseilles or at its other posts they also seem to prefer their own company Quot most of us remain bachelors Quot a longtime Legionnaire said. They react sharply though to the suggestion that they Are mercenaries. Quot that a the French Flag you see flying Over there Quot Pierre Dufour a former Legionnaire pointed out Quot this is part of the French army in any event dating Back to the crusades foreigners have always fought under different flags in  yet what seems to count most is their identity with the legion itself. Quot people who done to fit into society can belong to an elite Quot Lafargue said. Quot you always hear them saying once a Legionnaire always a Legionnaire that s Why glorification of the past is so important. It makes them feel  after 10 years in the legion though at least one French noncommissioned officer has not lost touch with reality. Quot a lot of legionnaires begin to believe the popular image of themselves Quot Malo Igne cautioned. Quot after a few drinks they begin to Tell stories of things they have not done Quot. A monday july 2, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 13