Latest news with #AllianceforFortEisenhower
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local Army soldier reacts to Fort Gordon name change, honoring different soldier sharing same last name
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WJBF) – After being known as Fort Eisenhower for less than two years, the Augusta military base will be known as Fort Gordon once again. President Donald Trump announced plans Tuesday to rename seven military bases across the country. Along with Fort Eisenhower, others included in that list are Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Lee, Fort Polk, Fort Rucker, and Fort A.P. Hill. Fort Liberty was also changed names back to Fort Bragg just 4 months ago. The military base was named in honor of late president and general Dwight D. Eisenhower in October 2023—his granddaughter, Susan, traveled to Augusta for the ceremony. Officials tell NewsChannel 6 the name change is effective immediately. 'The installation is immediately underway with the planning required to make this a reality. The commanding general has contacted the Eisenhower family and the foundation,' said Dr. Tom Clark, executive director of the Alliance for Fort Eisenhower. The Army Post was known for decades as Fort Gordon, named after John Brown Gordon—who served as a major general for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Now, the new name change will honor Master Sgt. Gary Gordon—remembered for his bravery in combat in East Africa. He died in October 1993. 'He was the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in Mogadishu, Somalia. They made a movie about him and his comrade, and it's titled 'Black Hawk Down,' Clark said. According to data from the Naming Commission, the cost to change the name to Fort Eisenhower was just shy of $600,000. While they're working on costs for this name change, some local soldiers say changing it again was the right call. 'I think it's a good thing. It definitely holds the historical integrity of why it was named Gordon in the first place, and naming it after someone that is very worthy of that honor is really cool,' said Alec Nathaniel Baldwin. 'It is an amazing choice of an American hero that our installation will now be named after,' said Clark. Officials say the name change is effective immediately, and while the name is changing, the mission to serve our country remains the same. To learn more about the announcement from the U.S. Army, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The renaming of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg raising questions to residents in the CSRA for Fort Eisenhower
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Two years after nine different military installations were renamed to remove Confederate names, one base is changing its name back. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Fort Liberty changed its name to Fort Bragg. That announcement about the renaming of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg came this week. And it's got people in our area wondering whether Fort Eisenhower's name could be changed again. Fort Bragg was originally named for Confederate General Braxton Bragg. The new name is for a different Bragg — Private First-Class Roland Bragg – -who served during World War Two. 'This wasn't something that the current president promised like he did with the renaming of Fort Bragg, and then the Secretary executed that,' said Dr. Tom Clark, Executive Director of Alliance for Fort Eisenhower. Fort Gordon was originally named after John Brown Gordon — a major general in the Confederate Army. It changed its name to Fort Eisenhower during that 2023 group of name changes – honoring the former President's rich history in the Augusta area. Clark does not foresee the name changing back. 'I really don't think they are going to rename back to Gordon, I think the community has embraced the name,' said Clark. Some people I spoke to wish the name would have just stayed Fort Gordon. 'Honestly, I didn't see the point in changing it in the first place. I think history is history. If it was Fort Gordon, it's Fort Gordon, 'said Samuel Dale, a resident. 'If they change it back good on them.' Others didn't mind the change and think it could get costly if Fort Eisenhower were to go back to its original name. 'Everybody was making a big deal about names. I didn't know anything about the previous names or historical background or anything. So, for me, it didn't really bother me that much, and as far as going back, I really could care less,' said Shawn Campbell, a resident. 'It's very expensive doing that, and so maybe they should just stick with what they've got.' For now, there is no indication from the Department of Defense that Fort Eisenhower could change its name. But it's safe to say the change at Fort Bragg has people in our area talking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
