The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) has faced backlash following the removal of two display panels that honored African American soldiers in the Netherlands’ Margraten cemetery. These panels memorialize the bravery of 15 servicemen. Among them, you’ll get an inspiring education on four heroic African American soldiers. Local historians and community members are understandably concerned about the decision to remove the panels. Specifically, they worry about how it will affect representation of African American history in military contexts.
Earlier this year, the agency removed the panels. This action was the result of a wider review of materials related to diversity equity and inclusion (DEI), which the previous leadership started. Just last month when reporters from The Guardian visited the cemetery, they found most of the panels missing. This decision immediately brought up concerns about the ABMC’s dedication to honoring all servicemen fairly and equally. The ABMC confirmed that one of the removed panels is still in play, part of the rotation. The other panel has made its permanent retirement.
In particular, local historians have long advocated for a closer examination of the lives and experiences of black soldiers who served in World War II. Specifically, they highlighted that a lot of people were not able to serve in direct combat roles. Instead, they were sent to the rear to serve in supporting roles. This remarkable history helps explain a more nefarious story line. It pays homage to all the soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for freedoms they didn’t enjoy in life.
The research has made it possible for the victims’ stories to be told Dutch children fathered by black American soldiers who never got to meet their fathers. This aspect of history underscores the complex legacy left behind in local communities and further emphasizes the importance of memorializing these soldiers appropriately.
Removal of the panels has taken local parties completely by surprise. They view this decision as a misguided and intolerable piece of history’s white-out. Eleven parties, including politicians and historians, have proposed creating a separate site dedicated to remembering these African American servicemen, ensuring their contributions are not forgotten.
“The displayed panels represented a history that we can never forget and from which we can learn, especially now that differences in the world are ever more magnified,” – Bas Albersen, spokesperson for the governor of Limburg.
For their part, the ABMC has confirmed their intention to remove the panels. In 2023, they dedicated a new visitor center that includes two new story panels commemorating the service of one million African Americans who enlisted and fought on two fronts during this war. Yet, critics argue that the removal of these specific panels diminishes the recognition of African American contributions to military history.
The first panel featured this haunting quote from 1st Lt. Jefferson Wiggins, one of the few African American soldiers who made it home from the war. At the local level, advocates have shone a light on its unique history especially. The ABMC also acknowledged that the panel honoring Technician Fourth Class George H. Pruitt is now removed from display. That’s going to change real soon.
“Based on internal review of interpretive content under ABMC’s previous secretary, the agency rotated out a single panel display in March which featured a quote from 1st Lt Jefferson Wiggins, an African American soldier who survived the war,” – American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
The move has sparked outcry not just from area historians, but from descendants of fallen service members as well. Weary from years battling to be named the heir, Raphael Morris, nephew of Julius W Morris, shared his profound disappointment with the ruling.
“It upsets me,” – Raphael Morris.
He went on to explain, in more general terms, what is happening with the display of African American history throughout the country.
“We’ve got all sorts of museums around the country honouring African Americans. And a lot of the displays have been taken down. I guess I didn’t realise that the cemetery there in Margraten could possibly be affected by the same virus that’s affecting the United States right now, with this current administration,” – Raphael Morris.
Kees Ribbens, now senior researcher at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, talked about his experience growing up in South Limburg. He remembered how he only learned much later the history of the cemetery and its ties to black Americans who constructed it from difficult conditions beginning in late 1944.
“I grew up in South Limburg but it was not until much later that I learned that the cemetery had been constructed by black Americans under difficult conditions, beginning in late 1944,” – Kees Ribbens.
Dutch senator Theo Bovens, currently the foundation’s president Black Liberators in the Netherlands. He has summoned U.S. Ambassador Joe Popolo to meet and talk through these issues in more detail. The provincial government of Limburg is on a desperate last-minute rescue operation. They’re now petitioning both the ABMC and their U.S. ambassador, urging that the panels be sent home.
“Of course, we are upset that the attention has disappeared from the current exhibition and we will ask for the ambassador’s support in person,” – Theo Bovens.