A Democratic senator on Wednesday vehemently criticized the decision to reinstate the names of nine military bases that honor Confederate leaders.
The former names, as the Pentagon announced earlier this month, will revert under the same titles, which means that seven bases previously named after notable figures will soon reflect this change. Earlier this year, Heggs mandated the restoration of the names of two other bases, Fort Liberty and Fort Moore, back to Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, respectively.
Kaine, who oversees three of the nine military bases originally named after a Confederate general, stated that Heggs’ decision disregards “the names of four extraordinary individuals chosen by the Pentagon and the community for honor.”
The Virginia base is now referred to as Fort Barfoot, named after Colonel Van Barfoot, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during World War II. Fort Walker honors American abolitionist and Civil War surgeon Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman awarded the Medal of Honor. Fort Greg Adams is named after Lt. Col. Charity Adams Ely, the first black woman to become an officer in the Women’s Army Auxiliary during World War II, and named for Lt. Gen. Arthur Greg, another pioneering figure.
The names of bases Monicas will be restored at Fort Pickett, Fort A.P. Hill, and Fort Lee, all of which were originally named after Confederate generals.
“Why did these four patriots decide their names weren’t worthy enough to continue representing their bases?” Kaine asked Hegseth during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Hegseth responded that the change “is not about the foundation’s name” being replaced, and insisted it is “not to erase history,” but to provoke Kaine’s frustration.
“You don’t care about their military records. You just wanted to bring back the Confederate names,” Kaine rebuked. “How did the Greg family react when you informed them that their father’s name was removed from the base?”
Hegseth claimed the Army notified them and countered Kaine, stating, “You didn’t contact any of your family. I spoke with them, and they were approached by the press.”
Kaine pressured Hegseth not to proceed with changing the current name of the base, a directive the Pentagon chief refused to comply with.
“We appreciate their service, honor them, and are exploring ways to recognize them. However, orders to return the names to their original titles must stand,” Hegseth stated.
Later in the hearing, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) challenged Hegseth for engaging in “remarkable gymnastics” to find other military personnel with the same names as Confederate generals to justify the name returns.
“Why pursue this? I don’t understand the motivation behind changing the names of those who took arms against their country to protect slavery,” King questioned. “What drives this agenda? Who is directing you?”
Hegseth maintained that service members “have a bond with those namesakes” and that it is essential for military morale.
However, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran of the Army National Guard, dismissed this justification, recalling her training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
“You just told Senator King that we’d prefer to connect with old Confederate names. I’m one of those women,” Duckworth remarked. “I was stationed at Fort Rucker, a base named after a traitor who opposed the United States, where the army fought fellow Americans. It’s now named after Mike Novosel, a Medal of Honor recipient.”
“I’d rather be associated with Mike Novosel than Confederate traitors,” she added. “I’m unsure if you’re untrained or incompetent, but when were you focused on our national combat missions?”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) criticized the changes mandated by Congress in 2021 and enacted in 2023, commending Hegseth for exhibiting the “Jacobin fever” that fueled national unrest following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis in 2020.
“It teaches a new generation of soldiers about the predecessors who paved the way. I hope this issue is resolved,” Cotton concluded.
This fundamental shift aimed to fulfill promises made during President Trump’s campaign to restore the bases’ original names.
Source: thehill.com