This Day Reagan's German Cemetery Visit Controversy (1985)
May 6, 2025
On May 5, 1985, President Reagan's visit to a German military cemetery ignited fierce controversy due to the burial of SS soldiers. The discussion dives into the outrage from Holocaust survivors and the political fallout surrounding the trip. The hosts explore the implications of equating Nazi soldiers with their victims, highlighting the need for sensitivity in acknowledging historical atrocities. Reagan's motivations and later regrets are also scrutinized, alongside the media's portrayal and cultural responses, illustrating the complex legacy of this significant event.
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Bitburg Visit Intentions
- West Germany, a Cold War ally, sought to emphasize honorable German soldiers to foster unity with the US.
- This attempted to separate the war memory from Germany's role in the Holocaust, focusing on shared loss instead.
Visit Was a Conscious Choice
- The visit was knowingly planned despite awareness that SS soldiers were buried there.
- Some graves were obscured by snow but the presence of SS members was undeniable to planners.
Elie Wiesel's Plea to Reagan
- Elie Wiesel pleaded with Reagan to change plans and avoid Bitburg.
- He urged the president to honor victims of the SS rather than visiting a cemetery honoring SS soldiers.