He stands guard a silent sentinel. This is the Sodado de la Legión Extranjera statue. He’s a four-meter-tall figure a monument to a bygone era.
The Sodado de la Legión Extranjera statue stands at the intersection of Provincial Route 7 and Rocha Blaquier Street. He’s more than just a statue. He’s a piece of Argentine history. He was the logo for the Legión Extranjera razor blade company. The company built a recreational area for its workers. The statue stood watch over this area.
Years passed. Ownership changed. A Portuguese man named Maio de Frutos bought the property. He expanded the area and even owned a restaurant nearby. The Sodado de la Legión Extranjera remained. He stood as a silent observer through the decades.
In the 1940s 1950s and 1960s Legión Extranjera competed with Gillette. The brand became well known. Its logo the Sodado de la Legión Extranjera became a landmark. People used it as a point of reference. “We’re near Moreno station” travelers would say “we passed the little soldier statue.”
The statue wears the classic uniform of the Foreign Legion. It’s a light blue jacket white pants and high boots. He carries a bandolier and rifle. His setting doesn’t reflect the African desert where the Foreign Legion operated. But he remains.
The Sodado de la Legión Extranjera statue still stands guard. He’s a reminder of a company a time and a legacy. He’s a symbol of Argentina’s past. He remains a guide for those who know his story. He is the Sodado de la Legión Extranjera.