Hegseth Renames It Fort Bragg

Secretary of Defense Hegseth renames the military installation Fort Bragg. The fort was named after Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general in the Civil War. Now, they say, it is named for a PFC who earned a Silver Star in World War II, but they may be winking as they say that.

Activists objected to naming military installations after rebel officers. But I believe this was an outstanding way to heal the wounds of war. What other nation is strong enough, or generous enough, to name anything – especially military installations – after former rebels?

This is part of a longstanding American policy of forgiveness and reconciliation:

• When Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, Lee and his small staff dejectedly prepared to ride away. Grant came out with his larger staff and ordered them to remove their hats out of respect. When a subordinate objected, Grant said, “Given time, I may befriend a man I’ve beaten, but not a man I’ve humiliated.”

• When word spread of Lee’s surrender, a crowd gathered outside the White House, and a military band serenaded the President with patriotic tunes. But Lincoln had an unexpected request: “Play Dixie.” He, like Grant, wanted to bind up the wounds of war, not to pull off the scabs.

So yes, it is Fort Bragg again. Being magnanimous is a lot more pleasant, and a lot more productive, than being resentful. And that is the essence of leftism: being resentful. If Union and Confederate Civil War veterans could embrace one another, can we at least speak respectfully?

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpk9wyddzo