In a recent surge of advocacy for the restoration of the historic name of Fort Bragg, U.S. Representative Philip Hegseth has propelled the petition forward. During a rally held over the weekend, Hegseth declared, ‘Fort Bragg represented the strength and resilience of our military. We must ensure that its legacy is honored, not erased.’ The fort, originally named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, was controversially renamed Fort Liberty in 2021 as part of a military initiative to remove names associated with the Confederacy. Hegseth aims to challenge this decision, voicing concerns that ‘renaming such sites is asking to forget those who fought valiantly.’ In light of historical significance and its role in military culture, the petition has reportedly gathered over 50,000 signatures since its launch. Hegseth has stated that if the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, he will formally present it to Congress to advocate for reinstating the fort’s original name. Military historians have pointed out the complexities of such decisions, emphasizing that names carry deep meaning and can reflect changing societal values. The Army has yet to issue a comment on this renewed push from Hegseth and supporters, but many in the community remain divided over the fort’s name change. As debates continue, the rally’s attendees echoed a strong sentiment: ‘We cannot let history and tradition fade away.’
