Marvin Samuels, a veteran, opened Liberty Island Foods in Fayetteville, NC, as a tribute to Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg. The base was re-named after a Confederate general but changed back to Fort Bragg in 2023 when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed the renaming. The city, economically tied to the base, faces uncertainty due to proposed 8% budget cuts and policy changes under Hegseth. While some embrace his leadership, others criticize the administration’s approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives. Despite these challenges, Samuels remains hopeful, focusing on providing for soldiers and their families through his restaurant.
Marvin Samuels, a seasoned veteran with over 20 years of Army service, recently opened a restaurant in Fayetteville, N.C., and chose a meaningful name: Liberty Island Foods.
This name, he explained, is a tribute to the nearby Fort Liberty military base, where he served for many years. Previously named Fort Bragg after a Confederate general who enslaved people, the base underwent a name change in 2023.
However, only weeks after Mr. Samuels opened his restaurant in January, the new Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced a reversal, restoring the original name, Fort Bragg, now in honor of an enlisted soldier, Roland L. Bragg, who fought in World War II.
Mr. Samuels took the news in stride, but it left him pondering how the new administration’s directives might impact the city, deeply linked to the military.
Since resuming office, President Trump has aimed to reshape the Pentagon, starting with his appointment of Mr. Hegseth, a veteran, former Fox News host, and staunch Trump supporter. Mr. Hegseth has instructed Defense Department officials to prepare plans to reduce the defense budget by 8 percent over each of the next five years, alongside cutting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and prohibiting transgender individuals from serving.
Fayetteville, a city of 210,000 with a diverse mix, clearly understands how closely their well-being is tied to Fort Bragg. With over 52,000 military personnel, Fort Bragg stands as the largest military base by population in the United States, acting as a vital economic driver for the region. A 2023 estimate indicated that the Army base contributed an $8.1 billion economic impact on Fayetteville.
The influence of Fort Bragg — its work ethic, global connections, and diverse population — has similarly shaped the city.
Signs throughout the city promote Fayetteville as “America’s Can Do City.” The local dining scene includes cuisines from around the globe, and bakeries are adept at fulfilling last-minute cake orders for soldiers returning home. Casual conversations often feature military jargon; for instance, during a recent visit to a cafe, a man informed a friend he would be “P.C.S.-ing in a few months,” referencing the acronym for Permanent Change of Station as he discussed his upcoming move.
State Representative Mike Colvin, a Democrat representing Fort Bragg, expressed that “Fayetteville takes pride in its cultural diversity, shaped by the military’s influence, which is integrated into our culture.”
Any significant changes at Fort Bragg are likely to resonate throughout the larger metro area, populated by veterans and active-duty military families.
Regarding potential financial cuts within the military, Mitch Colvin, Fayetteville’s Democratic mayor and brother to Mike Colvin, noted that “there’s a significant level of uncertainty, which breeds anxiety amongst people.”
“Everyone understands that each sector of government could operate more efficiently,” the mayor stated. “What intrigues me is their claim of building the strongest military in the world while implementing these cuts. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.”
Jerritt A. Lynn, a U.S. Army special operations veteran with over ten years stationed at Fort Bragg, expressed concern over potential reductions, believing they would adversely affect support for soldiers.
“Regardless of their specific roles, many individuals focus on their duties, striving to remain engaged while trying to ignore external factors,” Mr. Lynn remarked. “Yet, it’s hard to dismiss the concern about how these changes will affect me and my family.”
In interviews, several soldiers mentioned varying opinions on Mr. Hegseth’s policies — particularly regarding D.E.I. cuts and barring transgender service members. However, there was a common inclination to avoid political discussions and concentrate on their training as usual.
Yet, Mr. Hegseth, who served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2001 to 2021, seems to evoke mixed reactions in the community.
Some veterans and service members expressed appreciation for having a leader with a “warrior mindset,” believing it would ultimately benefit soldiers.
“I welcome the fresh perspective in the office,” said Jordan Murray, a former defense contractor from Southern Pines, N.C., located about 30 miles from Fort Bragg. “I believe Pete offers a sensible viewpoint on the current state of the world.” She added that his perspective is grounded in Christian values.
Conversely, others argued that Mr. Hegseth’s lack of experience might harm Fort Bragg, suggesting that the administration’s anti-D.E.I. stance could create divisiveness.
Dorothy Anderson, a retired U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer, criticized the recent dismissal of high-ranking military officials, stating, “They’ve removed individuals, including Black men and white women, despite their impressive track records and service to the country.”
Some community members questioned whether the administration was genuinely aware of the real issues affecting soldiers.
They pointed to the Fort Bragg name change as an example, which cost about $6 million for new signage on the base and highways. It’s unclear what the total cost will be to revert the name change. Peter Brierton, a Southern Pines resident with family ties to Fort Bragg, wondered aloud, “Was it really necessary to change the name in the first place?”
The rebranding effort is evidently progressing. Local gift shops feature merchandise declaring, “It will always be Fort Bragg.” Meanwhile, the military museum’s gift shop is discounting Fort Liberty tote bags for $6, more than half off the original price. At the visitor center on base, a Fort Liberty sign, positioned near a portrait of Trump, has been covered with paper, bearing the name “BRAGG” written prominently.
On a recent warm evening, Mr. Samuels, owner of Liberty Island Foods, was busy preparing Caribbean dishes like sweet plantains and brown stew chicken. Despite his restaurant’s name change, he remained unfazed, expressing a hope that soldiers and their families would thrive financially in the coming months and perhaps stop by for a meal.