A sign of things to come: Fort Bragg name removed from sign
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- The Fort Bragg sign that's stood outside the Knox Street gate for so many years will soon be no more.
The letters and emblem on the old wooden sign have been removed, leaving just a faint outline of its former verbiage. Soon, the signs will say Fort Liberty, a change which will become official in June. This name change comes after the U.S. military decided to rename military posts that were originally named for Confederate leaders. This is what the sign used to look like: Bold letter proclaiming Fort Bragg the home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces.
Military leaders say this specific sign was taken down first because the nearby gate has been permanently closed. Still, the sign's removal is a sign of upcoming changes.
Why is Fort Bragg's name being changed to Fort Liberty?
"The name 'Liberty' honors the heroism, sacrifices and values of the soldiers, the service members, the civilians and families that served and live within this installation," said Cheryl Rivas, Fort Bragg public affairs director.
Fort Bragg is named for Gen. Braxton Bragg, who served in the Confederate Army and owned a plantation where people were enslaved.
While some people applaud the changes, others who live in this community aren't ready to see the name replaced.
"The base was named for a Confederate general that wasn't worth a darn. But who cares?" says Danny Adams, a retired airman. "Fort Bragg is Fort Bragg, and it's been Fort Bragg forever. That's the way it should stay."
WRAL viewers sounded off about the upcoming name change in Facebook comments.
“That’s just not right. That was the first place in my life I could call home, the first place I had family. It’ll always be Fort Bragg," said one viewer.
“Braxton Bragg is generally considered among the worst generals of the Civil War. Most of the battles he engaged in ended in surrender or defeat," another viewer pointed out.
Military leaders say they have no plans to replace the Fort Bragg sign near the Knox Street gate, even when the post is renamed Fort Liberty. They say this sign is obsolete. However, other signs around post will change - signs on buildings and street names - which will cost North Carolina taxpayers more than $6 million.
Gen. Braxton Bragg: "The most hated man of the Confederacy"
In 1918 when Camp Bragg was established, it was named for Gen. Bragg in honor of his actions during the Mexican-American war. Although he served in the Confederate Army, many historians agree that his poor tactics contributed to many losses during the Civil War.
Gen. Bragg is credited by historians with having won one of the most significant Confederate victories at the Battle of Chickamauga--but despite his advantage, he"declined to capitalize on his victory and instead allowed the Union Army to retreat to Chattanooga," according to a historical summary of his military service.
Earl Hess, the author of Braxton Bragg: Most Hated Man of the Confederacy, explores the history of Gen. Bragg as "having a reputation for incompetence, for wantonly shooting his own soldiers and for losing battles." "Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, Braxton Bragg lived the life of a genteel planter on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana where slaves put in back-breaking labor in unspeakable conditions to bring molasses to market and earn Bragg a profit. He met any Northern criticism of slavery with harsh criticism," wrote Michael Newcity in an article on Duke Today.
Given Gen. Bragg's historic reputation, it may seem strange they would honor him by naming a military base after him. However, it's worth noting that Gen. Bragg was a born-and-raised North Carolinian, and many of these bases preferred to honor local soldiers who served their state.
Another point of interest: Before serving in the Confederate Army, he served the United States Army, winning decisive victories for the U.S. during the Mexican-American war. His contributions to the United States during wartime are the reason Fort Bragg chose him as their namesake.
He graduated from West Point, and his expertise in artillery during Mexican War proved decisive in most engagements.
The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum on Franklin Street provides some of the history of Fort Bragg's namesake.
The other bases that will be renamed include:
Fort Benning, Ga.
Fort Gordon, Ga.
Fort Hood, Texas
Fort A.P. Hill, Va.
Fort Lee, Va.
Fort Pickett, Va.
Fort Polk, La.
Fort Rucker, Ala.
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Built in the South by the South over 100 years ago - so the South chose the name. Perhaps they could have named it Ft. Snowflake, but there weren't any around back then.
President Woodrow Wilson, aka "the Leader of the Progressive Movement" authorized the original name Camp Bragg.
A shout out to all my Bragg brothers & sisters - All The Way, Airborne! God bless you all!!
It was built by the US government.
What a waste of money!
And time and common sense. A waist all around.
It should never have been named after him in the first place.
If your offended because a military base was named for a member of the Confederate army you've got bigger problems.
If you're offended that the name was changed to one that doesn't honor a confederate general, you've got problems of your own.
It's not about "being offended" but rather honoring American heroes, not treasonous traitors.
I served in the US Army for 31 1/2 years with 20 of those years at Fort Bragg. The entire time I served there not one soldier I came across ever complained about the Fort name being named after a Confederate general, not one. Every soldier was more concerned about being the best soldier they good be. Airborne all the way!
@@DavidLanger-d8c Absolutely I've never heard anyone complain about the names either and from what I've read the cost is 21 million dollars.
@@drjohnsonhungwell5115 The news says it’s going to cost $60 million dollars to do all the changes to go from ‘Fort Bragg’ to ‘Fort Liberty.’ Sylvester Stallone is even going to do a movie voice over for his 1982 film ‘First Blood’ and change the reference to ‘Fort Bragg’ to ‘Fort Liberty’ when John Rambo was talking to Colonel Troutman over the radio. No, I’m kidding about that part
It's Fort Bragg and always will be. All the way!!
No. It's Fort Liberty. No one should uphold white supremacists. America is not all white and won't be reflected that way. Liberty is what everyone deserves not just white people and I think that it's a fine name. The names of these men never should've been erected in the first place as a consolation for their defeat in the Civil War. It was wrong then and it is wrong now. Entitlement, selfishness and the status quo must change. It should've been done a long time ago. The inability of white people to adapt, change and grow is a problem y'all will have to solve. I suppose y'all don't see corporations moving in the direction of a young Black and brown demographic. They have access to the trillion dollar spending power of Black people alone. Do you really think that businesses are going to let that money go elsewhere? This is a global economy and white supremacy is bad for businesses's bottom line and that means money. The numbers indicate where the money is and it's not in the aging declining white population. Y'all have spent the whole time clinging to the man made construct of whiteness and have made enemies every step of the way. Your ancestors set it up and since y'all benefit, you uphold it. Fairness and equity moves the ball forward. Racism costs and Black and brown people are tired of paying for it. Government recognition, restoration and repair is the only way to get to restitution (everyone's money is in the pot). This is between the United States Government and the descendants of enslaved people. Telling crime victims to let bygones be bygones is downright demonic and wrong. The only reason I can see for pushback from white people is that you really don't want to see Black people restored and don't want to repair the damage that continues to be done to Black people. The man who said "It's always been this way" sounds like the white people during slavery, Jim Crow, Black Codes, Segregation, Redlining etc. My own observation is that I don't see the descendants of white supremacists being that much different than their ancestors. I'm talking about the majority not the small minority of white people that do what is right and are not clinging to whiteness as an identity. Black people have always been change makers and trend setters. What Black people have never done is promoted superiority or genocide on white people. Didn't force anyone to assimilate to our cultural practices or beliefs. Black people have not lied about what was done to us and haven't lied on the perpetrators. Black people have survived this long because we are resilient and resourceful. We change, pivot and against all odds move forward. Black people want freedom to rise, fall or stand still if we choose without obstacles, sabotage, propaganda or stereotypes placed in our way. For some reason that is very frightening to white people. Taking down the names of traitors shouldn't cause any backlash or whining about it. How can you demand leadership when you can't even recognize when it's time to change anything that harms 51 million people? Y'all need to get over white supremacy and dismantle it asap. Until then, you can't tell us nothing and we're not concerned about what will always be to you. The moon and the stars do not revolve around just you and every action will not place you in the center and closing the unfair gap in wealth will right a wrong. If you haven't gotten it after being given an unearned head start you won't continue that at the expense of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. There is enough for everyone and Black people don't discriminate. We spend with everyone if we want what they're selling. White people don't know Black people past their own stereotypes, propaganda and imagination. We don't think alike and aren't interested in individualism. We are a collective who are different but have the same goal. To laugh out loud, wear our hair as the Creator made it to grow from our scalps, to walk, run, shop, vacation and go where our interests lead, to create, innovate and thrive. If you don't believe that we can do it move out of the way and watch.
Well, now, let’s change the name on all the memorials in DC. A time of slavery when this country started. It’ll always be Fort Bragg to me, just like Cameron Village will always be Cameron Village.
Confederate traitors won’t be honored.
History is important to remember it’s ridiculous to change names to keep a minority happy 6million could be used for all the homeless ex military living on the streets of America , they are doing the same here in the uk monuments,statues,st names, it should stay as fort Bragg.
There’s no erasing that Confederates are traitors and white supremacists 🇺🇸
Changing names doesn’t change the history
I will always call it Fort BRAGG!! 🤘😎🇺🇸🇺🇸
No one cares what you will call it. The North [America] won, not the traitors!!
As will i
This is a disgrace.
Maybe they should name it Fort Equality
What a disgrace.
😅🤣😂
Yep.
Always be Fort Bragg to me Devils in baggy pants 2/504 PIR old school
So you’re just gonna get rid of history just shows how ignorant our countries become Fort Bragg will always be Fort Bragg
There’s no erasing that Confederates are traitors and white supremacists 🇺🇸
I'm going to start a GoFundMe to officially name my property "Adolf Hitler Manor" lmfao
There’s plenty of other white supremacists who will help support you
B.S.
tax dollars not helping vets with ptsd but 21 million on signs seems a great move by NC. What will this accomplish will it save lives? feed the homless? nothing will change nobody in the area will ever stop calling it bragg! Even in the movie Rambo Bragg will remain unless they are going to remake Rambo next to remove Bragg from the script. Money Wasted
NC has nothing to do with the decision. Fort Bragg is owned and operated by the federal government.
Completely waisted. This is all about pandering.
The money to help vets comes from the VA Administration. Not the DOD.
@@anthonylagunas6737 still money wasted all local business will remain bragg this helped nobody just a way to lose money on a senseless task
@@williammeginley8384 Do you fly the confederate flag?
That seems like an excessive amount of money to change the signs to every entrance point of each military base. This tax payer demands a much cheaper alternative!! Make them out of popsicle sticks. But seriously try pvc or tough plastic. Or Recycled brick. Bull on that cost figure.
Is washington state & Washington D.C?
Bragg Strong
I always found it interesting that Bragg got a fort named after him. He was really a terrible general.
I have a proposal, 100 champions vs 100 champions. Let's put 2 companies against each other to decide the name change since there was no vote (pen) let's choose the sword
When I was stationed at Bragg and other places throughout my 20 year Army career. I always wonder why we named our posts after our enemies? I personally think they should change Fort Bragg to Fort Thomas. After General George Thomas who whooped Braxton Bragg.
You are ignorant of the history of Fort Bragg then.
Braxton Bragg was a war hero during the Mexican American war. As where many generals who would eventually join the confederacy. These bases where constructed and named decades prior to the American civil war.
Although these generals would choose the side of Slave owning Democrats, this country west of the Mississippi would not exist without them. For that they are deserving of being remembered in our military.
@@Cheeky_BanditConfederates chose to betray the nation and prop up southern white conservatives by defending African slavery. They will not be honored.
@@Cheeky_BanditThank You.
@@Cheeky_Bandit Those Democrats would feel far more at home with the modern day Republican party. Is probably why they jumped ship to the republican party after the Civil rights act was passed.
@@Cheeky_Bandit
Republicans owned slaves too!
I am a Patriot from Liberal Union Massachusetts, I for one appreciate that the Democrats were at one point Jacksonian.
Good luck recruiting from the South.
Changing the name of military bases doesn't change the mission of world wide economic subjugation
What is it suppose to stop sexual harrassments, assualts, rapes, murders, cover ups changing the name.
The change for me will be when arrests are made in the above felony offense.
The change also change of rank to overhauling cover up c.i.d at ex fort hood.
Fort Psyops
When the good ole boys complain about change
When people.think.fentenal floyd is.a.god. I cant.breath
Woke remfs legs