Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) sent a letter to American Battle Monuments Commission Chairman Michael X. Garrett expressing concern about the removal of two displays focused on Black American soldiers from the visitor center at the Netherlands American Cemetery.
“More than 10,000 U.S. troops who fought in World War II are commemorated at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, including 172 Black service members. The cemetery visitor center, where the displays about Black service members were, shares the history of those Americans commemorated at the cemetery,” wrote the lawmakers. “One display that was removed told the story of George H. Pruitt, a Black soldier in the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion, who died trying to save a comrade. The other display described how Black American service members fought to protect freedom abroad while still fighting for their own civil rights at home. We are confused why the displays were removed given they were just added to the visitor center in September 2024. Further, we are concerned that with the removal of these displays there will be no information provided about Black troops at the cemetery.
“We are frustrated to learn that Dutch politicians, including the mayor of Eijsden-Margraten, where the cemetery is, and the governor of Limburg, the Dutch province containing the cemetery, have reached out to you and have not yet heard back on their requests for the two displays to be reinstated,” the lawmakers continued.
Brownley and Dingell requested answers to the following questions:
- When were the two displays on Black service members removed from the cemetery visitor center? Were any other displays removed from the visitor center when either of these two displays were removed?
- Why were these displays removed?
- What steps will the cemetery take to ensure the stories of Black service members who are buried on the grounds continue to be told?
- Will the cemetery restore the displays to their appropriate place in the visitor center?
The full text of the letter is available here and below.
November 24, 2025
Michael X. Garrett
Chairman
American Battle Monuments Commission
2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201
Dear Chairman Garrett:
We write to express our shock at the removal of two displays focused on Black American soldiers from the Netherlands American Cemetery’s visitor center. Those commemorated at the cemetery gave their lives for our nation, for our future, and for our freedom. They deserve to be honored, and their stories and sacrifices tell a history we must never forget.
More than 10,000 U.S. troops who fought in World War II are commemorated at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, including 172 Black service members. The cemetery visitor center, where the displays about Black service members were, shares the history of those Americans commemorated at the cemetery. One display that was removed told the story of George H. Pruitt, a Black soldier in the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion, who died trying to save a comrade. The other display described how Black American service members fought to protect freedom abroad while still fighting for their own civil rights at home. We are confused why the displays were removed given they were just added to the visitor center in September 2024. Further, we are concerned that with the removal of these displays there will be no information provided about Black troops at the cemetery.
We are frustrated to learn that Dutch politicians, including the mayor of Eijsden-Margraten, where the cemetery is, and the governor of Limburg, the Dutch province containing the cemetery, have reached out to you and have not yet heard back on their requests for the two displays to be reinstated. In light of this, we request a response to the following questions within the next two weeks.
- When were the two displays on Black service members removed from the cemetery visitor center? Were any other displays removed from the visitor center when either of these two displays were removed?
- Why were these displays removed?
- What steps will the cemetery take to ensure the stories of Black service members who are buried on the grounds continue to be told?
- Will the cemetery restore the displays to their appropriate place in the visitor center?
Thank you for your consideration in this important matter and for ensuring that all our troops are honored appropriately.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Veterans' Affairs