FORT BRAGG — The annual Fort Bragg Fair will return to the area from April 30 to May 11 The annual fair is open to the public and allows the community to come together to enjoy carnival rides we are committed to providing an enjoyable and safe experience for those attending the Fort Bragg Fair,” garrison commander Col “We have a robust security plan in place that includes scanning all who enter the fairgrounds and checking bags before entry our law enforcement teams will also be on site each day.” on Saturday and Sunday at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds Daily closing times vary based on attendance and weather Visitor passes aren't required to access the fairgrounds off Bragg Boulevard Admission covers unlimited rides and the opportunity to enjoy live music and entertainment General admission pricing is $16 Monday to Friday for civilians; $14 for military and Department of Defense civilians; and $9 for senior citizen nonriders and people with disabilities general admission is $21 for civilians; $19 for military and Department of Defense civilians; and $9 for senior citizen non-riders and people with disabilities “Our friends and neighbors are always invited to join us at the Fort Bragg Fair,” Amanda Cahill event coordinator for Fort Bragg’s Directorate of Family “The Fort Bragg Fair has become a staple in the community with a reputation for being an economical and safe event,” Cahill said “It is always a fun and festive family atmosphere.” except service dogs; hand-held weapons; self-defense items; alcoholic beverages; glass bottles; and tents are not allowed Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528 Matthews Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs It was a whirlwind hour of emotions for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Thurby evening at Churchill Downs May 1 "We brought some nice horses here to win on the undercard," Baffert said. "That's what I miss most about Churchill: I miss the undercard races It's good to start out with a win." Sign up for BloodHorse Daily Fort Bragg completed six furlongs in 1:08.04 and paid $14.54 to win in his only other start at Churchill Downs one of the reasons Baffert chose to ship him from California in search of a first stakes win since the 2023 Dwyer Stakes (G3) "I thought he would like this," Baffert said I figured it was a good place to bring him back." Baffert was also pleased to give the owners something to celebrate and Catherine Donovan are all partners in Rodriguez and are joined in ownership of Fort Bragg by Jay Schoenfarber He was bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock and Henry Field Bloodstock was vanned off after fading to last in the stretch Baffert reported that the horse bled and was getting a courtesy ride home One of the top 3-year-olds on turf in 2024, Brilliant Berti  bounced back in his second start as a 4-year-old with a gutsy win in the $346,250 Opening Verse Stakes The grade 3 winner ran a disappointing eighth off a five-month layoff in the 1 1/8-mile Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 22 He was cross-entered in both the Opening Verse and the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) May 3 but trainer Cherie DeVaux ultimately decided for the one-mile spot to help boost his confidence for the remainder of the year "We had a lot of conversation about that," Devaux said of the decision. "We wanted to do what he was really successful at We were just trying to get the year moving on the right foot We'll definitely eye bigger targets from here to make sure he's still the same and can move forward through the year." Photo: Coady Media/Renee TorbitBrilliant Berti wins the Opening Verse Stakes at Churchill Downs His performance in Louisiana did little to deter the gamblers paying $5.74 as the favorite while completing the mile in 1:34.93 "The race at Fair Grounds was just a little tricky across the board it wasn't him," DeVaux said. "He's always run well here (at Churchill Downs) While Fort Bragg and Brilliant Berti were getting back on track, Pinky Finger  was staying consistent as she beat the colts in a gate-to-wire victory in the $246,500 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes The victory had owner and trainer Wesley Ward dreaming of bigger targets down the road Photo: Coady Media/Christine HaydenPinky Finger wins the  Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs "They went after her early on and Joel knows this filly very well," Ward said "Right from the first jump he had a hold of her As much as she got weakened early because that horse pressed us Now 2-for-2 to start her career, Ward said he'd consider taking Pinky Finger to the Royal Ascot meeting in June. However, his ultimate goal is the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Oct "That's a track that favors speed it's five-eighths right on the mark," Ward said "I think if she goes into that race as sound and happy as she is here that's really what I'm looking for." While Pinky Finger is on target for the Breeders' Cup Ward is already planning beyond the World Championships for some international travel of his own He was joined in the winner's circle Thursday by Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse.  "Gai's been trying to get me down (to Australia) for about 15 years now," Ward said "I promised her this year that I'm going to make a serious effort to get down after the Breeders' Cup." Authorities found a “suspicious device” on Thursday around the entrance to Fort Bragg According to authorities at the Army installation the device was found near the All-American gate Authorities said the incident is contained and the gate will remain closed until further notice This work, Fort Bragg Teens Tackle Issues at Operation Megaphone Lock-In, by Jason Ragucci, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright 18,000 Americans are diagnosed with blood cancers.FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- The Fayetteville Woodpeckers baseball team honored service members Friday night with the community rallying to support a soldier facing a life-changing battle 18,000 Americans are diagnosed with blood cancers 82nd Airborne Sergeant Derrick Bishop was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder and urgently needs a bone marrow transplant several organizations hosted on-site testing at Segra Stadium A quick swab test could save countless lives The Woodpeckers also took the field as the Fayetteville Eighty Deuces in tribute to service members The 82nd Airborne Division will welcome current and former paratroopers and the local community May 19-22 for All American Week according to a news release from the division With sporting competitions and a Hall of Fame induction the longstanding tradition is dedicated to maintaining close ties among the division's veterans ceremonies and receptions will recognize the contributions of former unit leaders volunteers and community supporters “whose steadfast commitment continues to shape and support the 82nd Airborne Division,” the news release states “All American Week 2025 is a dynamic celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division’s unwavering identity: 'We’re All American and Proud to Be,’” the news release states and the enduring strength of America’s Guard of Honor.” The following events are open to the public: Event: Junior Paratrooper of the Year and Family Fun Run Where: 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Heroes Visitors with a REAL-ID driver’s license or identification can apply for a pass online at pass.aie.army.mil/steps/installation_selection Visitors without a REAL ID can stop by the Fort Bragg Visitor Access Center by the All American gate from 5 a.m 2025Authorities said a suspicious device found nearby was the cause of the closure.FORT BRAGG (WTVD) -- The All American Gate at Fort Bragg has reopened after authorities said a suspicious device was found in the vicinity Fort Bragg officials gave the "all clear" message allowing outbound lanes to fully reopen and partially reopen lanes going in Authorities said all lanes will be open for morning traffic ALSO SEE: Fort Bragg soldier pushing for more sidewalks following deadly hit-and-run: 'It's not safe to cross' MORE: Why a Durham driver's diminished value claim went from $413 to $6,000 This work, Fort Bragg Maternity Fair: Labor of Love, by Dan Grubb, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page This work, Fort Bragg Launches First-of-its-Kind EFMP Centralized Office, by Jason Ragucci, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright This work, For Paratroopers by Paratroopers: Fighters Union develops on Fort Bragg, by SPC Aiden OMarra, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of Tennessee and Macalester College provide funding as members of The Conversation US View all partners Place names are more than just labels on a map They influence how people learn about the world around them and perceive their place in it Names can send messages and suggest what is and isn’t valued in society. And the way that they are changed over time can signal cultural shifts we are witnessing a consequential shift in the politics of place naming In our research on place naming we explore how this “name game” is used to assert control over shared symbols and embed subtle and not-so-subtle messages in the landscape As geography teachers and researchers we also recognize the educational and emotional impact the name game can have on the public Renaming a place is always an act of power People in power have long used place naming to claim control over the identity of the place, bolster their reputations, retaliate against opponents and achieve political goals These moves can have strong psychological effects, particularly when the name evokes something threatening. Changing a place name can fundamentally shift how people view, relate to or feel that they belong within that place In Shenandoah County, Virginia, students at two schools originally named for Confederate generals have been on an emotional roller coaster of name changes in recent years. The schools were renamed Mountain View and Honey Run in 2020 amid the national uproar over the murder of George Floyd a Black man killed by a police officer in Minneapolis Four years later, the local school board reinstated the original Confederate names after conservatives took control of the board One Black eighth grader at Mountain View High School — now re-renamed Stonewall Jackson High School — testified at a board meeting about how the planned change would affect her: “I would have to represent a man that fought for my ancestors to be slaves. If this board decides to restore the names, I would not feel like I was valued and respected,” she said. The board still approved the change, 5-1 Even outside of schools, place names operate as a “hidden curriculum.” They provide narratives to the public about how the community or nation sees itself – as well as whose histories and perspectives it considers important or worthy of public attention Place names affect how people perceive, experience and emotionally connect to their surroundings in both conscious and subconscious ways. Psychologists, sociologists and geographers have explored how this sense of place manifests itself into the psyche, creating either attachment or aversion to place Renaming places can rally a leader’s supporters through rebranding Trump’s orders to restore the names Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, both originally named for Confederate generals, illustrate this effect. The names were changed to Fort Liberty and Fort Moore in 2023 after Congress passed a law banning the use of Confederate names for federal installations Trump made a campaign promise to his followers to “bring back the name” of Fort Bragg if reelected Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth identified two unrelated decorated Army veterans with the same last names — Bragg and Benning — but without any Confederate connections Call it a sleight of hand or a stroke of genius if you’d like this tactic allowed the Department of Defense to revive politically charged names without violating the law The restoration of the names Bragg and Benning may feel like a symbolic homecoming for those who resisted the original name change or have emotional ties to the names through their memories of living and serving on the base rather than a connection to the specific namesakes However, the names are still reminders of the military bases’ original association with defenders of slavery A wave of place-name changes during the Obama and Biden administrations focused on removing offensive or derogatory place names and recognizing Indigenous names For example, Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains, was renamed to Kuwohi in September 2024 shifting the name from a Confederate general to a Cherokee word meaning “the mulberry place.” Under the Trump administration, however, place-name changes are being advanced explicitly to push back against reform efforts part of a broader assault on what Trump calls “woke culture.” Trump, on his first day in office in January 2025, moved to rename Denali back to Mount McKinley, over the opposition of Republican politicians in Alaska. The state Legislature passed a resolution a few days later asking Trump to reconsider Georgia Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter made a recent legislative proposal to rename Greenland as “Red and Blueland” in support of Trump’s expansionist desire to purchase the island which is an autonomous territory of Denmark Danish officials and Greenlanders saw Carter’s absurd proposal as insulting and damaging to diplomatic relations. It is not the first time that place renaming has been used as a form of symbolic insult in international relations Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America might have initially seemed improbable, but it is already reflected in common navigation apps unilateral fashion — often for ideological reasons — they risk alienating communities that deeply connect with those names as a form of memory A better alternative, in our view, would be to make renaming shared landscapes participatory with opportunities for meaningful public involvement in the renaming process but it suggests the changes should respond to the social and psychological needs of communities and the evolving cultural identity of places — and not simply be used to score political points Instead, encouraging public participation — such as through landscape impact assessments and critical audits that take the needs of affected communities seriously — can cultivate a sense of shared ownership in the decision that may give those names more staying power As history has shown around the world one of the major downsides of leaders imposing name changes is that the names can be easily replaced as soon as the next regime takes power The result can be a never-ending name game This work, Expecting? Join the Fort Bragg Maternity Fair for Expert Advice and Support, by Keisha Frith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright FORT BRAGG — Lead paint in on-post housing is again a topic of discussion across Fort Bragg, according to a social media post on the installation’s Facebook page last month After a 2018 Reuters investigation found high lead levels at homes on military installations across the U.S., Fort Bragg officials reported that two children living on post between January 2016 and August 2018 tested positive for dangerous levels of lead. Lead paint concerns were also cited in a housing lawsuit that was filed in 2020 against Fort Bragg's housing partner According to a September 2018 Fayetteville Observer article officials believed more than 1,500 homes on post contained lead-based paint According to the Environmental Protection Agency deteriorated lead-based pant can cause serious health risks to children ages 6 and younger “It is only once the paint begins to deteriorate that it should be addressed,” Atwell said Corvias started exterior work last year to remove and repaint several historic homes on post where newly cracking or chipping paint was identified Of the more than 6,000 homes that Corvias manages she said about 2% were identified for exterior work last year Atwell said that based on current guidance from the EPA and state agencies chipping or peeling and (is) in good condition generally does not present a health risk as long as appropriate precautions are taken when paint is disturbed.”   the vast majority of identified homes benefitting from exterior lead-based paint work have been completed,”she said  "Work will continue as additional homes are identified.” said officials presume that all homes on post built before 1978 Mack said Corvias supported garrison-led town halls at Fort Bragg last month “to ensure residents are aware and understand upcoming work to address lead-based paint in their housing communities." the Fort Bragg garrison team and the Residential Communities Initiative with the Directorate of Public Works met with residents in the Normandy and Bastogne Gables housing areas Atwell said the town hall meetings were to educate residents how to safely live in homes built before 1978 Mack said that federal and North Carolina laws requires residents to be notified if they rent lease or purchase a home that has a potential source of lead and that Fort Bragg families sign a lease addendum to acknowledge the possible presence Corvias officials said the exterior work is separate from improvements Corvias is making to 1,100 homes over the next five years The updates follow a pilot initiative to address excess humidity and make enhancements to air and water quality and lighting conditions The enhancements include air purification throughout the home excess humidity control solutions and circadian rhythm-supporting lighting Fort Liberty officially became Fort Bragg again The North Carolina Army installation had been named for a Confederate general but now honors a Maine hero who trained there An attendee takes a photo of the sign that was unveiled when Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base A color guard stands in front of the headquarters building as Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base A color guard stands in front of the headquarters building as Lt General Gregory Anderson speaks as Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base A soldier stands beside the sign that was unveiled when Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base takes a photo of the sign that was unveiled when Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base holds a shell canister that was fired in her father’s honor as Fort Liberty is rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base as Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base A canon is fired as Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base A color guard stands beside the sign that was unveiled when Fort Liberty was rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base Ted Budd (R-N.C.) listen to proceedings as Fort Liberty is rededicated as Fort Bragg during a ceremony on base The name was changed from Fort Bragg in 2023 but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order Monday It was originally named for Confederate Gen (AP) — The short-lived existence of Fort Liberty came to an end Friday when the nation’s largest Army installation officially returned to its former name: Fort Bragg “Today we honor a hero worthy of the name Bragg,” Lt Among the attendees were several members of Bragg’s family who spoke on the family’s behalf during the ceremony Amirpour described her grandfather as a “strong hardworking and proud” man who didn’t discuss his military service in World War II very openly who served with the 17th Airborne Division received the Silver Star and a Purple Heart for exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge He was captured by Germans and commandeered an ambulance back to safety with a few wounded paratroopers “Rank doesn’t mean a thing when you’re in a tight spot,” said Amirpour who was reading an excerpt from a letter her grandfather had written while recovering from an injury in an Army hospital Maine — trained at the North Carolina post some critics saw it as a cynical sop to President Donald Trump who criticized the removal of Confederate names as “woke” and made restoring them part of his reelection campaign Fort Bragg’s name being restored was like a “phoenix rising from the ashes,” said retired Maj who served at Fort Bragg at several points during his service said he wasn’t bothered by the installation’s initial name origin he felt connected to the name because it had been that way for more than 100 years who served at Fort Bragg from 1962 to 1964 said he was “ecstatic” about the name change who traveled about an hour to attend the ceremony refused to call the installation Fort Liberty after it was initially renamed “It should have never been changed to start with Hegseth signed the order during a flight to Europe and said in a video It took an act of Congress — overriding Trump’s 2020 veto — to remove Confederate names from military installations Although several lawmakers complained about the switch back to Bragg and its potential costs it is unclear whether any lawmaker intends to challenge it The Liberty-to-Bragg reversion was made without first consulting with Roland Bragg’s family The Army said in 2023 that changing the name to Fort Liberty would cost $8 million North Carolina’s Department of Transportation said last month that it anticipated replacing dozens of roads signs at a cost of over $200,000 Changing the name to Fort Liberty was a waste of money to begin with who served at Fort Bragg through the 1990s He said a solution to having to pay more to revert Fort Bragg’s name should be cutting politician salaries instead the money spent on returning to Bragg is a well-spent investment “Just like coming back home again,” he said This story has been corrected to reflect that Roland Bragg trained at the North Carolina post not that he had no known connection to the post State Sen. Michael Lazzara outlines the compelling reasons why cannabis should be rescheduled from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug These reasons include the expansion of medical research increasing access to cannabis-based treatments for patients and the potential for economic growth When it comes to increasing patient access one group that would undoubtedly benefit from this change is veterans who choose treatment at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center and Womack Army Medical Center Opinion Pitts: 3rd best for our veterans? Fayetteville home gets decision on repair or replace. As a retired paratrooper with three tours of duty at Fort Bragg and three combat tours in Vietnam I have served with many veterans who are stressed with PTSD and had to endure pain from combat wounds and other physical injuries Many service members struggle with issues like PTSD and chronic pain that aren’t relieved by other more traditional treatments and cannabis being considered a Schedule I drug means that those who primarily receive care through the VA aren’t able to readily access cannabis-based treatments Thankfully, as Sen. Lazzara points out, President Trump has expressed his support for rescheduling cannabis I expect that federal agencies will follow his lead and make this change possible for the patients and veterans who rely on cannabis-based treatments to get through each day Fort Bragg neighbors may hear loud "booming" sounds in the coming weeks Army and Marine Corps field artillery units will be conducting live-fire training throughout much of the month of April The training could result in loud explosions and reverberations that are often heard outside the installation Fort Bragg released the following statement: "Although live-fire training can get very loud it is critical to reinforce our defense capabilities and increase combat readiness." Fort Bragg will limit the training at night the 10th Marines Field Artillery Regiment will train for their semi-annual section certifications command post exercise and line-fire training known as Operation Rolling Thunder People with concerns can file anonymous complaints online. This work, Fort Bragg Goes Full Teal Mode for Awareness, by Jason Ragucci, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Army and Marine Corps units are conducting live-fire training on Fort Bragg during the month of April "Recognizing that these booming sounds of freedom can disturb our neighbors we limit the amount that can be fired during periods of darkness," Fort Bragg said in the news release Field artillery units from the 82nd Airborne Division are training throughout the month which means that loud explosions and reverberations will be felt off the installation as well Marine Corps field artillery units will be on Fort Bragg for Operation Rolling Thunder a command post exercise and live-fire training The Marines will fire a large amount of ammunition from Howitzers and HIMARS rocket launchers "While engaged in simulated combat conditions all Field Artillery units will comply with existing requirements that prohibit them from massing fires larger than battalion size between the hours of 11 p.m daily or from firing during the hours of 10 a.m as this is essential to maintain force readiness but the quantity of rounds fired during hours of darkness is reduced." Army base formerly known as Fort Bragg will once again bear its old name — but this time but in honor of a new namesake On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum changing the base's name once again "That's right: Bragg is back," Hegseth said as he signed the document on board a military aircraft, in a video shared by the Department of Defense (DoD) Bragg, a private first class with the 17th Airborne Division, isn't exactly a household name. The DoD describes him as a "World War II hero who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge." The memorandum that Hegseth signed suggests the name change is both an ode to Bragg's service and the legacy of the military base at which he was stationed "This directive honors the personal courage and selfless service of all those who have trained to fight and win our nation's wars and is in keeping with the installation's esteemed and storied history," it reads told NPR on Tuesday morning that she was surprised to learn of the renaming just a few minutes earlier when another reporter called to ask about it said someone from the Army had left them a message on Monday night and after joining the Army was assigned to the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment He was stationed at Fort Bragg during World War II and ended up fighting in Europe He earned a Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity," and a Purple Heart for "wounds sustained," during the Battle of the Bulge the last major German offensive on the Western Front from December 1944 through January 1945 "During these hellish conditions and amidst ferocious fighting Bragg saved a fellow Soldier's life by commandeering an enemy ambulance and driving it 20 miles to transport a fellow wounded warrior to an allied hospital in Belgium," the memorandum says Bragg's daughter, Linda French, said in his 1999 obituary that he was briefly captured by the Germans but released because he and his captor were both Masons 'Hit me over the head and take off,' and he did and took off with an ambulance," she said The vehicle came under heavy fire from both sides "The Americans were shooting at him because he had a German Jeep and the Germans were shooting at him because he stole their jeep and he still made it to the other side," she added Bragg married and worked as a mechanic and building mover he didn't know if any of the other passengers had survived the ambulance ordeal which is recounted in John Eisenhower's 1995 book The Bitter Woods: The Battle of the Bulge Sokoll said a man from California called her dad shortly in his final years: "He said you saved my life.' " Bragg flew out West to meet him says her father had PTSD and didn't speak much about the war until after that point She has fond childhood memories of taking skating trips with her dad where they would roast marshmallows and hot dogs out on the ice "He always took time for his kids," she added In 2021 — in the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd — Congress established a commission to rename DoD properties that were named after Confederate leaders Trump vetoed the defense policy bill that contained that provision, in part because of the renaming aspect, but Congress voted to override him with considerable bipartisan support The 2022 Naming Commission Final Report recommended new names for nine military bases a slave-owning plantation owner and senior Confederate Army officer is "considered one of the worst generals of the Civil War." "Most of the battles he was involved in ended in defeat and resulted in tremendous losses for the Confederate Army; highly consequential to the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy," it reads and widely disliked in the pre-Civil War U.S Army and within the Confederate Army by peers and subordinates alike throughout his career." The commission used several criteria to narrow down a list of thousands of replacement names for each base It ultimately recommended that the base be named Liberty "after one of America's core values." That change officially took effect in June 2023 though it was slower to catch on informally The change became a Republican talking point on the presidential campaign trail, with Trump vowing at an October 2024 town hall in Fayetteville that he would change the name back to Fort Bragg "We did win two world wars from Fort Bragg And on his first day on the job in late January, Hegseth made a point to refer to two bases by their original names Fort Bragg and Fort Benning — a sign of what could be to come Become an NPR sponsor Bragg is seen in a book about the history of Nobleboro This undated photo provided by the Bragg family shows Pfc that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was renaming a special operations force base to honor Pfc who he said was a World War II hero who earned the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth talks to the media during his visit to the headquarters of U.S European Command and Africa Command at the Africa Command at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart Germany An honor guard displays the colors of Fort Bragg as a part of the ceremony to rename Fort Bragg The new Fort Liberty sign is displayed outside the base on Friday takes part of the Casing of the Colors during a renaming ceremony Jim Alfieri looks through his town’s history book at the historical society for information about Pfc is seen in a park across the street from the First Baptist Church in Nobleboro A roadside plaque honors soldiers and sailors in Nobleboro (AP) — Is it an honor or a cynical end run When it comes to the former — and apparently future — Fort Bragg a Greensboro Republican who served as an enlisted soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division at the installation in the 1970s said he was “tickled pink” about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s action Monday to restore the name Bragg to what is currently Fort Liberty the post was stripped of the name in 2023 amid a drive to remove symbols of the Confederacy from public spaces The new Fort Bragg would ostensibly honor Army Pfc a World War II paratrooper and Silver Star recipient from Maine thrusting the document ordering the name change toward a camera with a defiant look on his face It’s unclear if the change will actually take place It took an act of Congress — overriding President Donald Trump’s 2020 veto — to remove Confederate names from military installations Hegseth’s order sets up a potentially costly complicated and delicate process that could run afoul of the law Donnie Loftis of Gaston County said he was thrilled by Hegseth’s move “Military people do not conjure up in their mind history of a Confederate soldier,” said the 30-year veteran of the Army and North Carolina National Guard who spent a lot of time at the southeast North Carolina preserve “When you hear ‘Fort Bragg,’ you think of Delta Force who supported changing the previous Bragg name “It seems to contradict the administration’s commitment to efficiency and cost savings,” said Colvin the renaming process which included Gold Star families who felt Liberty was a true reflection of what our service men and women defend day in and day out.” a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said his first thought was that “someone obviously did a creative name search to identify a Bragg who was not a reviled and incompetent Confederate general.” 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,’” said Brundage “This name alchemy won’t work for some of the other bases Roland Bragg’s family was as surprised as Colvin at the news told The Associated Press that she learned of the renaming Tuesday morning from reporters who told her they were honoring her father Sokoll said she wasn’t sure what the Army’s motive was for it say it’s not an honor her father would ever have sought out He was a hardworking man who lived a quiet life and there are no markers or monuments honoring him in Nobleboro where he is buried under an unassuming headstone was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles who has no known connection to the state of North Carolina or the fort that may soon bear his name received the Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge building mover and family man whose passion was his children he would ride his bicycle 20 miles (30 kilometers) to Maine resort towns to sell vegetables to summer tourists Roland Bragg — who served with the 17th Airborne Division — was briefly captured by the Germans Defense spokesman John Ullyot said in a statement that restoring the name Fort Bragg “underscores the installation’s legacy of recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation.” Patti Elliott was on the renaming commission that recommended the change to Fort Liberty was killed in 2011 by an improvised explosive device in Iraq Because she is now national president of the American Gold Star Mothers Elliott said she is prohibited from engaging in “political conversations.” “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,” the Youngsville The Army said in 2023 that changing the post’s name to Fort Liberty would cost $8 million with Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency scouring federal bureaucracy for places to cut costs how does Loftis justify spending what will likely be a similar amount to rebrand the fort again had we not changed it to begin with,” said Loftis a chairman of the House Homeland Security and Military and Veterans Affairs 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 anticipates its portion of the project would cost over $200,000 About 80 such signs were replaced or updated to Fort Liberty in 2023 No timeline for completion has yet been set Loftis acknowledged that some might see the latest renaming as a political stunt if it avoids a drawn-out administrative process And he’s happy to trade a Confederate Bragg for a Yankee one 2025 to reflect the Army's announcement that it had officially implemented the name change Less than two years after Fort Bragg was renamed Fort Liberty to drop the name of a Confederate general Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered that the Army base revert to its former name Hegseth had telegraphed the move for weeks even referring to the base as "Fort Bragg" as he talked with reporters in front of the Pentagon after arriving for his his first day on the job President Donald Trump repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he'd change the name back But what hadn't been clear until now is how they might go about that given that Congress has banned the military from naming things for Confederates The base was originally named for Confederate General Braxton Bragg and Hegseth's order lists another Bragg as its new namesake – Private Roland L who was awarded the Silver Star for valor and fought in the notorious Battle of the Bulge during World War II "Bragg is back," Hegseth said in a brief video released by the Pentagon that showed him signing the order aboard an Air Force jet the Army said it implemented the order Feb 14 and began referring to the base as "Fort Bragg" immediately "The renaming process will include updating all official documentation and digital platforms in a deliberate and phased manner," the statement said "We look forward to inviting the community to attend an official ceremony at date to be determined in the very near future." the second name change for the nation's largest Army base is causing some whiplash "Less than a couple years later we're back changing it again and what if the next administration comes in and re-changes it and that just puts our community at a disadvantage," he said naming it after a concept and idea that we all embrace and believe in is an easy fix to a real "We're in a country full of diverse people and at some point we're going to have to embrace that and use it as a strength and not a dividing point." The base had been called Bragg for more than a century and was among several bases that were founded as part of the military buildup for World War I The War Department decided to name those in the south for Confederate figures say Braxton Bragg was one of the worst generals of the Civil War and they note that he was a slave owner and traitor to the nation Congress overrode Trump's veto and passed a bill ordering changes to nine Army bases that had been named for Confederate generals That set off a years-long process that included local community input and the creation of a federal naming commission Colvin said it's hard not to be suspicious of the way the base's name is being changed back "Black people in America have been hoodwinked and tricked so many times that at some point you start to lose faith in what this country really stands for in some respects," he said Connor Williams was lead historian for the naming commission and is co-author of A Promise Delivered: Ten American Heroes and the Battle to Rename Our Nation's Military Bases an upcoming book on the people the other bases were renamed for and Latino service members to serve as base namesakes the official story that the renaming is for a different Bragg is validation "This confirms the Naming Commission's mission because this was not renamed to commemorate Braxton Bragg "We were stood up by a bipartisan group in Congress and our goal was to end Confederate commemoration in the armed forces and that is still the case with this name change." that the military do the work of fully explaining how Roland Bragg is the right namesake for an Army base so important its unofficial nickname is the Center of the Military Universe after great consultation with the staff at the installation and so now it's really up to the Trump administration to really honor the World War II service that they've said this is commemorating." He says that as a historian and also as a grandson of a World War II veteran who served for 500 days of continuous combat he understands the sacrifices soldiers like Roland Bragg made "I just think that it needs to be clear that this is truly that and not a wink and a nod to honor one of the Confederacy's worst generals and often (rated) by military historians as one of the worst generals of the entire Civil War." There is no question Roland Bragg's service was exemplary Bragg also was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he suffered in the Battle of the Bulge but one of his captors was a fellow Mason and let him escape said he stole a German ambulance to escape "They were being fired at the whole time they went," she said The Pentagon order to give his name to the base said he used the ambulance to drive a wounded American soldier to a hospital French said she was surprised to learn this week from a reporter of the honor for her father said it was aware of the new directive to change the base name "We are certainly leaning forward with that," she said "We think that renaming Fort Liberty to Fort Bragg is going to represent an opportunity for us to honor one of 18th Airborne Corps' own heroes which was a part of the 18th Airborne during that time and we are proud to honor his legacy and really proud to honor all those who have called Fort Bragg home." noted that the work it takes for a base to change its name is significant and a reasonable concern is the cost of another a name change especially given the Trump Administration's highly-publicized focus on reducing government spending Fort Bragg officials estimated would cost $6.3 million to make this shift," he said "We thought that price was well worth the cost to end Confederate commemoration in the United States Army and now one would guess it will cost also $6.3 million to change it back." A spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation said it spent $160,000 to change about 80 highway signs to "Liberty" and estimated it would take more than $200,000 to switch back because highway improvements have added more signs He said North Carolina taxpayers paid the entire cost of the first round of changes and the state hopes the military will cover the switch back The return to Bragg may just be the opening shot in the administration’s efforts to revert to the old base names Hegseth has said he wanted to change all the names back he typed a brief post on X: "Bragg now," he wrote This story was produced by the American Homefront Project a public media collaboration that reports on American military life and veterans.