'Welcome to Fort Liberty, the center of the universe:' NC post gets new name
Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue, XVIII Airborne Corps commanding general opened a ceremony Friday morning with, "Welcome to Fort Liberty, the center of the universe,"
Donahue was the main speaker at the event which marked the official name change of North Carolina's largest military installation. The name Fort Bragg, which referenced a Confederate general from Warrenton, was retired in favor of Fort Liberty, a name Donahue said reflects the ethos of those who serve.
"It's a community – it's veterans, it's members of the community, it's Gold Star parents, it's active duty, it's all of you," he said. "We were given a mission. We accomplished that mission. We made ourselves better."
The change came as part of an initiative by the Department of Defense to rename nine military installations bearing the names of confederate soldiers.
The new name, Donahue said, was suggested by a Gold Star mother who spoke up during public hearings on the change.
"My son died for liberty. We have to think bigger, be better," Patti Elliot told those decision makers. Her son, Spec. Luca Elliot, was a military police officer. He was killed in 2011 by a roadside bomb during his second deployment in Iraq.
Donahue told the assembled troops and guests that Elliot inspired a new look at the history of the post.
On Friday, she said the name change extends a legacy built over decades by thousands who have served.
"It's also the thousands and thousands yet to come," she said. "With a name like liberty,you're honoring all of them."
"Liberty has always been here," Donahue told the assembled crowd.
"Liberty is in the fabric and identity of all of our units. In the 82nd song, 'The All-American Soldier,' we are all American and proud to be, for we're the soldiers of liberty. You'll find it in the Special Forces motto, De Oppresso Liber, and you'll find liberty etched in the hearts of everyone who's proudly given their lives for this installation," he said.
Then he addressed Elliot directly. "Thank you, ma'am, for challenging us to remember who we are," he said.
While other bases will be renamed for Black soldiers, U.S. presidents and trailblazing women, the North Carolina military installation is the only one not carrying the name of a person, according to The Associated Press. Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule said at a commission meeting last year that Fort Liberty was chosen as the new name because "liberty remains the greatest American value.”
A naming commission created by Congress visited the bases and met with members of the surrounding communities for input.
According to a commission report, the changes will cost Fort Bragg about $6.37 million.
In a statement, Fort Bragg said, "The name Liberty honors the heroism, sacrifices, and values of the Soldiers, Service Members, Civilians, and Families who live and serve with this installation. We view this as the next chapter in our history and look forward to honoring the stories of our military heroes from every generation and walk of life."
