In the pages of modern Lebanese history, popular memory isn’t limited to political or military milestones. It also preserves charming stories whose simplicity carries deep symbolic meaning tied to the story of a nation.

On November 22, 1943, the date of Lebanon’s declaration of independence from the French mandate, the country began paving the way for building its national institutions. The creation of the First Sniper Battalion was the foundation of an independent Lebanese army, a key first step in building the new sovereign state.

In 1946, the army’s command organized the very first official military parade in Beirut. This parade was more than just a military display; it was a symbolic proclamation of a nation's birth.

Amid preparations for the big day, a farmer from the Aalam family, nicknamed "Abou el-Chabab," from the village of Biskinta on the slopes of Mount Sannine, offered an unexpected symbolic gift to the First Sniper Battalion: a mountain goat. While this gift might have seemed strange at first, it carried a powerful symbolic meaning. The goat represented the proud, rugged Lebanese mountain — a symbol of resilience, pride, and stubbornness.

The battalion’s leadership decided to turn the goat into a surprise feature of the first military parade. She would march ahead of the officers and soldiers, dressed in a special uniform made just for her.

What happened next exceeded all expectations. The goat participated in the parade rehearsals and, according to the soldiers, demonstrated a kind of "stubborn discipline." On the day of the parade, she proudly led the ranks to thunderous applause from officials and spectators, transforming from a humble gift into a beloved symbol, for both the public and the military.

Despite the humorous tone of the event, the "Goat of Independence" was far from a joke. She carried with her many powerful messages:

· The rootedness of the people in their land, as the goat symbolizes the difficult mountain environment, just like the Lebanese people who have endured hardship and continue to persevere.

· The role of ordinary citizens in building the state, since the gift didn’t come from a politician or a general, but from a simple farmer. It was a clear message: a nation is built by the hands of its people.

· The balance between the official and the popular, as the goat’s participation added a human, relatable touch to the military scene at the moment of the nation's birth.

This was not the goat’s first and last appearance. The tradition was repeated in later parades, and the "Goat of Independence" became a delightful chapter in the Lebanese national memory, one told with both nostalgia and pride.

It’s a story that reminds us that nation-building isn't reserved for the elite. Sometimes, it begins with a goat, carrying behind her the symbolism of ordinary people, the strength of the land, and its fierce will.

The story of the "Goat of Independence" not only shows how a simple symbol can carry deep feelings of belonging and connection to the land, but also tells the tale of a people determined to make Lebanon a lasting homeland for all its citizens, not a fragmented battleground torn by conflict.

Today, the Lebanese citizen can only wait in quiet hope… for another gift, perhaps another goat, to arrive, bringing with it a new glimmer of hope for a homeland truly worthy of its people.