Hello Fort Liberty: Commission to present Fort Bragg's new name to Congress in October

Fort Bragg may soon be known as Fort Liberty after the Naming Commission presents its recommendation to Congress in October.

The new name was announced Tuesday afternoon during a virtual news conference with retired Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule and other members of the commission.

“Throughout our history liberty remains the greatest value. Ever since the nation created a standing army to provide for the common defense, that army's greatest battles have been for liberty,” Seidule said, noting that both the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces Command address liberty in their song and motto.

The Naming Commission was tasked by Congress with renaming assets owned or operated by the Department of Defense that commemorate the Confederacy.

Fort Bragg, named for North Carolina native Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general associated with being a slave owner and losing battles during the Civil War, is among nine U.S. military installations that will be renamed.

Related reporting:

• How much will renaming Fort Bragg cost residents in the Fayetteville area?

• How do Fayetteville residents feel about the renaming of Fort Bragg and other associated assets?

• Renaming Fort Bragg: List of potential new names for post released

In April, the commission released 87 potential names. The list includes the names of service members who served at Fort Bragg such as Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. 1st Class William Bryant, Sgt. 1st Class William Joel, Master Sgt. Gary Gordon and Sgt. 1st Class Randall Shughart; 82nd Airborne Division Gens. Roscoe Robinson, James Gavin and Matthew Ridgway; and Capt. Kimberly Hampton, the Army’s first female combat pilot killed in action. Hampton's OH-58D Kiowa helicopter was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq, on Jan. 2, 2004.

The other installations and their suggested new names are:

• Fort Benning, Ga. – rename as Fort Moore after Lt. Gen. Hal and Julia Moore.

• Fort Gordon, Ga. – rename as Fort Eisenhower after General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower.

• Fort A.P. Hill, Va. – rename as Fort Walker after Dr. Mary Walker.

• Fort Hood, Texas – rename as Fort Cavazos after Gen. Richard Cavazos.

• Fort Lee, Va. – rename as Fort Gregg-Adams after Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams.

• Fort Pickett, Va. – rename as Fort Barfoot after Tech. Sgt. Van T. Barfoot.

• Fort Polk, La. – rename as Fort Johnson after Sgt. William Henry Johnson.

• Fort Rucker, Ala. – rename as Fort Novosel after Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel, Sr.

Seidule said the commission received 34,000 submissions for renaming as well as held multiple community meetings in order to listen to "local sensitivities."

He said each name selected "either originated from or resonated with local communities."

"We believe these new names will inspire soldiers soldires to achieve the high standards demanded by their nation in peace and war," he said.

Check back later for more on this developing story.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Commission to recommend Fort Liberty as Fort Bragg's new name