A sign of things to come: Fort Bragg name removed from sign

This name change comes after the U.S. military decided to rename military posts that were originally named for Confederate leaders.

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This is what the sign used to look like: Bold letter proclaiming Fort Bragg the home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces.

Military leaders say this specific sign was taken down first because the nearby gate has been permanently closed. Still, the sign's removal is a sign of upcoming changes.

"The name 'Liberty' honors the heroism, sacrifices and values of the soldiers, the service members, the civilians and families that served and live within this installation," said Cheryl Rivas, Fort Bragg public affairs director.

Fort Bragg is named for Gen. Braxton Bragg, who served in the Confederate Army and owned a plantation where people were enslaved.

While some people applaud the changes, others who live in this community aren't ready to see the name replaced.

"The base was named for a Confederate general that wasn't worth a darn. But who cares?" says Danny Adams, a retired airman. "Fort Bragg is Fort Bragg, and it's been Fort Bragg forever. That's the way it should stay."

WRAL viewers sounded off about the upcoming name change in Facebook comments.

“That’s just not right. That was the first place in my life I could call home, the first place I had family. It’ll always be Fort Bragg," said one viewer.

“Braxton Bragg is generally considered among the worst generals of the Civil War. Most of the battles he engaged in ended in surrender or defeat," another viewer pointed out.

In 1918 when Camp Bragg was established, it was named for Gen. Bragg in honor of his actions during the Mexican-American war. Although he served in the Confederate Army, many historians agree that his poor tactics contributed to many losses during the Civil War.

Gen. Bragg is credited by historians with having won one of the most significant Confederate victories at the Battle of Chickamauga--but despite his advantage, he"declined to capitalize on his victory and instead allowed the Union Army to retreat to Chattanooga," according to a historical summary of his military service.

Earl Hess, the author of Braxton Bragg: Most Hated Man of the Confederacy, explores the history of Gen. Bragg as "having a reputation for incompetence, for wantonly shooting his own soldiers and for losing battles."

Fort Bragg's name change could cost NC taxpayers over $6 million

"Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, Braxton Bragg lived the life of a genteel planter on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana where slaves put in back-breaking labor in unspeakable conditions to bring molasses to market and earn Bragg a profit. He met any Northern criticism of slavery with harsh criticism," wrote Michael Newcity in an article on Duke Today.

Given Gen. Bragg's historic reputation, it may seem strange they would honor him by naming a military base after him. However, it's worth noting that Gen. Bragg was a born-and-raised North Carolinian, and many of these bases preferred to honor local soldiers who served their state.

Another point of interest: Before serving in the Confederate Army, he served the United States Army, winning decisive victories for the U.S. during the Mexican-American war. His contributions to the United States during wartime are the reason Fort Bragg chose him as their namesake.

He graduated from West Point, and his expertise in artillery during Mexican War proved decisive in most engagements.

The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum on Franklin Street provides some of the history of Fort Bragg's namesake.