![]() ![]() When the neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine, which causes the movement problems associated with the disease. Normally, these nerve cells, or neurons, produce an important brain chemical known as dopamine. The most prominent signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease occur when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that controls movement, become impaired and/or die. Early-onset forms of Parkinson’s are often, but not always, inherited, and some forms have been linked to specific alterations in genes. ![]() ![]() One clear risk is age: Although most people with Parkinson’s first develop the disease after age 60, about 5% to 10% experience onset before the age of 50. It’s unclear why, but studies are underway to understand factors that may increase a person’s risk. While virtually anyone could be at risk for developing Parkinson’s, some research studies suggest this disease affects more men than women. They may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking. Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. Mark Melancon, 63, who served from 1983 to 1990, wore a t-shirt that read “Born at Benning, Raised at Bragg.” Fort Benning, in Georgia, was renamed Fort Moore last month.Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. “I’m still gonna call it Bragg, even though the person that they named it after wasn’t a good person,” he said. Patterson, who is Black, said he understood why they changed the name, but in his mind, the name is associated with the place, not the person - and specifically as the home of the 82nd Airborne. ![]() Gregory Patterson, 64, a former member of the 82nd Airborne, who served in the Army from 1977 to 1999, joined scores of veterans for the celebration. Civil War.Īt last week’s “All American Week,” a celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division and one of the last major events under the Fort Bragg name, several veterans expressed mixed feelings about the name change. Buxton said he has seen the effects of racism associated with the base over the years - including the killing of a Black couple in the 1990s by soldiers in the 82nd Airborne who were neo-Nazis.īut Buxton also called the new choice of name Fort Liberty “off the wall.” He said he would have preferred the base retain the name Bragg but be redesignated to honor Edward S. Army veteran and president of the Fayetteville chapter of the NAACP, supports the base renaming. “To me, it will always be Fort Bragg, no matter what they call it.” “I shared my blood, and I know a lot of my other brothers that did the same for the namesake of Fort Bragg,” Postell said. Other Black veterans such as George Postell Jr., 56, who served at the base for more than four years with the 27th Engineers Combat Airborne Division before he was injured in a parachute jump, were hesitant to embrace the change. “We should not laud them and hold them up and venerate them to where every time a Black soldier goes onto the base, they get the message that this base Bragg is named after someone who wanted to keep you as human property.” “America should not have vestiges of slavery and secessionism and celebrate them,” he said. Bragg is widely regarded among historians as a poor leader who did not have the respect of his troops, Silber said.įor Isiah James, senior policy officer at the Black Veterans Project, the base renamings are a “long overdue” change he hopes will lead to more substantial improvements for Black service members. Bases were named after soldiers born or raised nearby, no matter how effectively they performed their duties. The original naming process involved members of local communities, although Black residents were left out of the conversations. “It was kind of a gesture of, ‘Yes, we acknowledge your patriotism,’ which is kind of absurd to acknowledge the patriotism of people who rebelled against a country,” she said. Several military bases were named after Confederate soldiers during World War I and World War II as part of a “demonstration of reconciliation” with white southerners amid a broader effort to rally the nation to fight as one, said Nina Silber, a historian at Boston University. The naming commission’s proposed changes must be implemented by Jan. “The name changes, the mission does not change,” base spokesperson Cheryle Rivas said Friday.įort Polk in Louisiana will be the next installation to change its name June 13 to Fort Johnson, in honor of Sgt. ![]()
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