(MENAFN) An Army base in Blackstone, Virginia, has officially changed its name from "Fort Pickett" to "Fort Barfoot" in honor of Col. Van Barfoot, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. The renaming ceremony took place on Friday, and Barfoot's children were in attendance, along with representatives from Virginia-based Native American tribes and the Choctaw Nation—the tribe that his maternal grandmother was a member of.
The decision to rename the Army base is part of a broader effort by the Pentagon to rename nine Army bases and hundreds of other items that had names honoring the Confederacy. The decision to do so was handed down by the Naming Commission, which was created in 2021 for this purpose. Fort Barfoot is the first of the nine Army installations to be redesignated this year, and it is the only one that is a National Guard installation, according to the Virginia National Guard.
During the renaming ceremony, director of the Army National Guard, Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, spoke about the impact that Col. Barfoot had on the nation. He said, "Thanks to this historic renaming in honor of one of America's great heroes, members of the Army and our country will surely know of the impact Col. Barfoot had on our nation." The Naming Commission is an independent panel created by Congress that is tasked with reviewing and renaming military assets bearing the names of Confederate leaders.
The decision to rename the Army base in Virginia is a reminder of the ongoing efforts to address the legacy of the Confederacy in the United States. The renaming of military assets is just one part of a broader movement to reckon with the country's history of slavery, racism, and white supremacy. While the renaming of the Army base is a symbolic gesture, it is an important one that acknowledges the contributions of Col. Barfoot and recognizes the need to honor those who fought for justice and equality.
On May 9, Fort Hood will become the next Army base to receive an official name. It will be renamed in honor of Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos, a Texas-born Korean and Vietnam war hero. The renaming of Fort Hood is another important step in the effort to honor the contributions of those who have served in the military and to acknowledge the need to confront the country's history of racism and oppression. As these efforts continue, it is important to remember the sacrifices of those who have fought for justice and equality and to work towards a more just and equitable society.
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