Retired general: ‘Fort Liberty’ the perfect new name for Fort Bragg

Rodney O. Anderson
·2 min read
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Fort Liberty is the perfect name that captures vision (aspirations), mission (task and purpose) and the history of our beloved military installation.

Our nation is rooted in liberty, from its independence, through the emancipation of the enslaved, to the liberation of Europe, to winning the Cold War, to recent wars to provide people the liberty to choose how they will live their lives.

More: Why the congressional Naming Commission chose Fort Liberty for Fort Bragg

When our nation needs a response, it is rooted in liberty, from a disaster to some hostile force; liberty is the vision we hold as a nation. The task and purpose of the Soldiers, Families, Paratroopers and Operators who live among us is to be the liberators. The first stanza of the 82nd hymn makes this clear, “...for we are Soldiers of liberty...”

Rodney O. Anderson, Major General, US Army (Retired)
Rodney O. Anderson, Major General, US Army (Retired)

Our future is to preserve liberty. Our history gives a clear foundation of the U.S. Army's work as liberators.

There are a great many heroes who were assigned to our units, all are surely worthy of acknowledgement. Not simply the recognized heroes but every woman, man and family who stands in the gap so we can sleep at night are worthy of praise. This is what makes our installation special, unlike any other, we are the nation's vanguard, the tip of the nation's spear. The sharp tip of Liberty.

More: Myron Pitts: Fort Liberty? No, let’s choose one of our heroes for Fort Bragg’s new name

I have the unique position of having lived and served all over the world and in all types of units. There is no other place that is on call 24/7 to respond to the needs of the U.S. or global citizens.

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I participated in a very organized effort to listen to citizens and make the best recommendation. That process included no less than 50 community leaders from many walks of life. In the final meeting, the assembled group concluded that Fort Liberty was the right choice.

Fort Liberty is exactly the right name.

Rodney Anderson, Major General, US Army (Retired) is a “Soldier of 33 years and Paratrooper for Life.”

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Retired general: ‘Fort Liberty’ the perfect new name for Fort Bragg