Special Forces History

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.

THE WHY OF “BRONZE BRUCE”

Some 30 years ago an artistic decision was made in the design of our Special Forces Vietnam Memorial Statue that continues to stir displeasure today.

In this case, it is ignorance of the designed artistic intent that is the source of the problem.  This problem is founded not in the power and strength obvious to all who view the statue.  Nor is the problem in the decisiveness and the tradition of excellence that is equally as obvious in the statue of the Special Forces soldier.

This antagonism is based on a simple, meaningful posturing of the statue’s hand – an artistic presentation – a gesture – that is integral to the message of the statue.  It is the message that is the reason for the creation and existence of the statue.  It is the gesture that helps tell an important part of the story of Special Forces.

THE STATUE ITSELF ENDS THIS STORY

“Here I stand… a visible powerful reminder of who we were in years too long ago.  It was here that I learned to use my strength…here that I developed critical special skills… and it was there in the heat and jungles and mountains of Vietnam, and beyond, that I was forged with indomitable will and tempered with the dedication to ideas far more powerful than myself.

“I was young in times and places very much unlike this quiet plaza of memories.  I waged many different kinds of war… learned to use this power… learned that I had also to offer a gentle hand to the unseen helpless standing beside me.

“So, I stand here, today… serving as a witness to the missions performed by the soldiers of Special Forces.  I serve as a reminder of who they were… and what they had to do.  While my right hand does hold a violent instrument of my skill, my left offers the compassion reserved for the children and the helpless who innocently suffer the rages of insane men without justice… of ambitions reserved for people and political ideas that only destroy that which is human.  I live in the heart of all who would oppose such ambitions… of all who find justice to be… indispensable.

“So if you see in me one hand without violence or hate… see a part of me that is dedicated to helping those in greatest need… then, thank you.  For I can be… no less.”