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Symbolism of “Bronze Bruce”

There is a great deal of symbolism in the statue of Bronze Bruce which is now located in front of the Special Forces Command Headquarters at Fort Bragg.  Incidentally it is the only War Memorial that has ever been relocated from its original site.  This 12-foot statue stands upon a rare green granite pedestal that brings the total height of the statue to 22 feet tall.  It is representative of a Special Forces Non-commissioned Officer, wearing the rank of a sergeant first class, and is a powerful image of what U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers stand for.  The Soldier is dressed in the jungle fatigues worn in Vietnam by U.S. troops.  He carries the M-16 rifle, a tool of his profession, in his right hand.  His finger is not placed on the trigger of his weapon, but is “at the ready” in preparation for any threat.  His stance upon a rocky ledge with one foot crushing the snake is symbolic of tyranny in the world and the threats and dangers that will instantly bring him to action.  While possessing power and extraordinary capabilities, he offers a gentle hand of friendship to the unseen oppressed of the world.  He is fully able to exercise his training when it is needed, and he is also fully willing to help those in need.  He is the perfect warrior from the past, a healer, a teacher and an opponent of evil.  He serves all over the world today and willingly faces any mission.  His is the standard to which all Army special operations Soldiers aspire.  Inside the base of the statue is a time capsule containing an SF uniform, a Green Beret, a bust of President John F. Kennedy, and Kennedy’s speech presenting the Green Beret to Special Forces Soldiers.