Market Data
Conflicting Views on Fort Bragg’s Renaming
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that the name "Bragg" would be restored to what is currently known as Fort Liberty, the decision sparked a range of reactions, from enthusiastic support to deep skepticism. North Carolina state Rep. John Blust, a former enlisted soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division who served at the installation in the 1970s, was downright elated. "That’s right," Hegseth declared, thrusting the document ordering the name change towards the camera with a defiant look. "Bragg is back." However, the significance of this name change is far from clear, and its potential implementation is fraught with legal and logistical challenges.
Historical Context and Initial Renaming
Fort Bragg was initially named after Southern Gen. Braxton Bragg, a figure known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles. In 2023, the fort’s name was changed to Fort Liberty as part of a broader movement to remove Confederate symbols from public spaces. This change was a result of an act of Congress that overrode President Donald Trump’s veto, reflecting a significant shift in the nation’s approach to historical representation. The new Fort Liberty was meant to honor the ideals of freedom and the service of the men and women stationed there. However, Hegseth’s order now suggests that the installation might be named after Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II paratrooper and Silver Star recipient from Maine.
Reactions from Military and Political Figures
Republican state Rep. Donnie Loftis, a 30-year veteran of the Army and North Carolina National Guard, hailed Hegseth’s decision. "Military people do not conjure up in their mind history of a Confederate soldier," he asserted. "When you hear ‘Fort Bragg,’ you think of Delta Force, you think of JSOC, (Joint) Special Operations Command. You think of 18th Airborne Corps. You think 82nd Airborne." For Loftis, the name "Bragg" is deeply embedded in the identity of the fort and the units it houses. However, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, who supported the change to Fort Liberty, found the move perplexing. Colvin, who is Black and a Democrat, expressed concerns about the contradiction between the administration’s commitment to efficiency and cost savings and the potential expense of another renaming. He also pointed out that the renaming process involved Gold Star families and was meant to reflect the values of the service members.
Historical Expertise and Family Reactions
W. Fitzhugh Brundage, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, saw the renaming as a creative but potentially ineffective solution. "Someone obviously did a creative name search to identify a Bragg who was not a reviled and incompetent Confederate general," he observed. "Of course, those who want to continue to commemorate one of the worst generals of the Civil War can continue to do so by ignoring the fact that the base is named after a different ‘Bragg.’" This name alchemy, as Brundage termed it, might not work for other bases, making the decision to rename Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg a unique and controversial one.
Roland Bragg’s family was equally surprised by the news. His daughter, Debra Sokoll, learned about the renaming from reporters on Tuesday morning. When she spoke with Army officials, they confirmed that they were honoring her father. Sokoll, while expressing gratitude for the recognition, noted that it was not an honor her father would have sought. She described him as a hardworking man who lived a quiet life, with no markers or monuments in Nobleboro, Maine, where he is buried under an unassuming headstone. Roland Bragg’s commendable service included his role as a resourceful mechanic and his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge, for which he received the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
The Cost and Legal Uncertainties
The Army estimated in 2023 that the change from Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty would cost $8 million. This significant expense raises questions about the practicality of reversing the name change, especially given the current focus on government efficiency and cost savings. Loftis, while acknowledging the potential for criticism, argued that the end justifies the means. "Well, we could have saved that, had we not changed it to begin with," he stated. "However, it was changed, and I’m pretty sure Elon Musk and the DOGE folks could save us $9 million somewhere from the money we’ve seen through USAID (the Agency for International Development)." The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) also anticipates additional costs, estimating that its share of the project would exceed $200,000, with about 80 signs needing to be replaced or updated. No timeline for completion has been set, further complicating the process.
Voices of the Renaming Commission
Patti Elliott, a member of the renaming commission that recommended the change to Fort Liberty, is now in a difficult position. Her son, Spc. Daniel “Lucas” Elliott, a 21-year-old military police officer, was killed in 2011 by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. As the national president of the American Gold Star Mothers, Elliott is prohibited from engaging in political conversations. She wrote in an email, "Since President Trump made that ‘promise’ last year (to restore Confederate names), I have had several news outlets reach out to me asking for my thoughts, and I’ve had to turn them all down. Believe me, I have opinions, but at this time, I have restrictions on voicing them." This silence underscores the delicate balance between personal grief, public duty, and political sensitivity.
The Broader Implications
The renaming of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty was a deliberate effort to distance the installation from the contentious legacy of the Confederacy and to honor the principles of freedom and service. Hegseth’s decision to restore the name, albeit in honor of a different Bragg, has reignited debates about the appropriate way to recognize historical figures and the values they represent. While some see it as a positive move to honor a genuine hero, others view it as a cynical attempt to circumvent the original renaming process. The potential legal and financial implications of this decision are significant, and the matter may well end up in the hands of lawmakers or the courts. For now, the community around Fort Liberty, and the soldiers stationed there, must grapple with the conflicting emotions and the ongoing legacy of a name that carries such weight and meaning.
