The Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, which contains the graves of 8,301 American soldiers who died during World War II, has recently faced scrutiny following the removal of two display panels dedicated to African American servicemen. Among those buried is Private First Class Julius W. Morris, who died in April 1945. The cemetery, managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), had previously included these panels to honor the contributions of black soldiers, who fought both against Nazi forces and the racial segregation policies in the United States.

Local officials, historians, and relatives of the soldiers have expressed their dismay over the removal, viewing it as part of a broader trend influenced by the Trump administration's actions against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This sentiment is echoed by Bas Albersen, a spokesperson for the governor of Limburg, who emphasized the importance of remembering this history, particularly in a time of increasing societal divisions.

Critics, including Kees Ribbens, a senior researcher at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, have raised concerns about the erasure of African American contributions to the war effort. He noted that many black soldiers were relegated to support roles and faced significant discrimination, a history that is crucial to acknowledge.

In response to the removal, Dutch senator Theo Bovens has sought a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Joe Popolo to advocate for the reinstatement of the panels. Local political parties have also expressed their shock and proposed the establishment of a dedicated site to honor these soldiers, arguing that the removal undermines historical justice.

The ABMC has stated that one of the panels is still part of a rotation, while the other has been retired following an internal review. They noted that four African American soldiers are included in a rotating display of 15 servicemen panels, although they were not on display during a recent visit.

Local organizations, such as the Foundation for Adopting Graves at the American Cemetery Margraten, maintain that they honor all soldiers, regardless of race or rank. The community's commitment to remembering these individuals persists, as evidenced by ongoing efforts to care for the graves and commemorate their sacrifices. Despite the political context, the act of honoring these soldiers remains a deeply rooted tradition in the local community.