The American Cemetery in the Dutch village of Margraten has become a flashpoint over the removal of displays honoring Black soldiers
Since a U.S. military cemetery in the southern Netherlands removed two displays honoring Black troops who helped liberate Europe, visitors have filled the guestbook with objections.
The American Battle Monuments Commission removed the panels after President Donald Trump’s executive orders ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs, without public explanation. Dutch officials, families of U.S. soldiers and local residents who tend the graves were angered.
One panel honored George H. Pruitt, a Black soldier buried there; the other explained wartime segregation. Emails later showed Trump’s DEI policies prompted the removal, reinforcing concerns about erasing Black soldiers’ history.