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Soldiers on Ft. Bragg’s transition to Ft. Liberty
The tranision from Bragg to Liberty has sparked mixed reactions within the military community, with some readily embracing it, others not warming up to the idea, and some not giving a sh-t.
The cost of the transition, estimated to be over $6 million in taxpayer funds, initially raised concern. Kim Gilley, President of the Patriot Foundation, was initially skeptical about the price tag attached to the name change. However, during a meeting with the installation’s leadership, a heartfelt testimony from a Gold Star mother changed her perspective.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fort Bragg shed its Confederate namesake Friday to become Fort Liberty in a ceremony some veterans said was a small but important step in making the U.S. Army more welcoming to current and prospective Black service members. <a href="https://t.co/OVfEkqoq0z">https://t.co/OVfEkqoq0z</a></p>— Coffee or Die Magazine (@coffeeordie1754) <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeordie1754/status/1664753767680471042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The Gold star mother expressed that her son fought not for a man’s name but for the ideal of liberty. Gilley was deeply moved by her words and recognized the profound meaning behind the name change.
Sgt. Jameson Harris of the U.S. Army 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, although initially finding the concept unusual, came to appreciate the decision. He commended the United States Army for dedicating an entire installation to a core value rather than an individual. Many others echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that liberty encompasses the essence of Fort Bragg’s mission and purpose.
Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Allen of the Sergeants Major Association believed the name change was long overdue. He firmly believed that “liberty” perfectly embodied everything that Fort Bragg represented. Similarly, Spc. Casey Brumbach of the U.S. Army 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment emphasized that liberty holds different meanings for different individuals. They expressed their commitment to making the Army better every day under the banner of liberty.
There are still dissenting voices within the military community, Staff Sgt. Larry Barnhill of the U.S. Army 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment expressed optimism that over time, more people would come to accept and embrace the change. Barnhill acknowledged that adapting to change takes time but believed that as people understood the significance of liberty, they would rally behind the new name. The much-anticipated transition will culminate on Friday morning when Fort Bragg officially becomes Fort Liberty.
