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Memorial Plaque for Arthur D. Nicholson UnveiledMarch 24, 2005
| The American guests and the veterans of the Western military liaison missions from the U.S.A., Great Britain and France were pleasantly surprised that so many guests from Ludwigslust and the surrounding area had come to experience the unveiling of the memorial plaque to commemorate the death of U.S. Major Arthur D. Nicholson. Nicholson, a member of the U.S. military mission in Potsdam, was shot to death by a Soviet guard on March 24, 1985. Following extensive research, the Allied Museum identified the scene of the incident in cooperation with the civil authorities in the district of Ludwigslust. Because it is located in an area of the surrounding forest designated for reforestation, a spot along Route 191 was identified from where the path led to the area at that time. The Bundeswehr assisted in transforming the spot into a dignified memorial site. With the help of the defense district command 86, the community of Bresegard, represented by its mayor Ms. Weber, had made available a suitable stone for the memorial plaque.
The event was organized by the Allied Museum in cooperation with the U.S. embassy, the supreme command of the U.S. army in Europe, and the defense district command 86. At the event, the mayor of the community of Karstädt, Ms. Franck, announced that her community would take responsibility for maintaining the memorial. The memorial is meant to remind both present and future generations that on this site, an individual tragically became a victim of the Cold War. We know today that Major Nicholson’s death was unfounded, unjustified and unnecessary. Even taking into account the tensions between the two superpowers, the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union, his death cannot be justified. The blame lies less with the Soviet soldier who fired the fatal shots, and more with the system that ordered him to fire at an unarmed intruder and then refuse to provide first aid. Nicholson was not the first fatality suffered by the Western military missions in the course of their almost 50-year history. Almost exactly one year previously, the Allied Museum commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death in Halle an der Salle of Philippe Mariotti, a member of the French military mission.
Excerpts from the Speeches
The fact that we today may enjoy a life here in Germany and throughout Europe that is characterized by the basic values of freedom and democracy has more than a little to do with the work of the missions. For almost half a century, they went behind enemy lines and experienced the “hot” side of the Cold War on a daily basis … the Cold War is over. But gone does not mean forgotten. This is especially true of individuals such as Arthur D. Nicholson and Philippe Mariotti, who paid for their commitment with their lives. The victims have a right to be remembered.
Dr. Helmut Trotnow
Director of the Allied Museum
The message communicated to our fathers and grandfathers following World War I remains applicable today:
“Those who forget lose their face!
Those who forget lose their orientation!
Those who forget fall into the trap of yesterday!”
With these thoughts in mind, we stand today before the memorial stone for Major Arthur D. Nicholson. We carry no common blame, but we share our grief and together assume responsibility for the future.
Mr. Rolf Christiansen
Administrator of the District of Ludwigslust
Twenty years ago Nick returned to Washington and a hero´s funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. I told his family then that we would never forget him. And for twenty straight years we have met at his grave to honor our friend. This year there will be a special commemoration at Arlington which is the reason Nick´s wife Karen, daughter Jenny and sister Kathy are unable to be with us today. On behalf of Nick´s family and all his many friends and colleagues I thank you for this wonderful honor you do to a special person. This memorial will remind us all of a more dangerous time and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.
Major General Roland Lajoie, U.S.A. (Retired)
It is a great pleasure and an honor for me to stand here with you today, as allies within NATO. With the creation of this dignified memorial, we wish to preserve the memory of Major Arthur D. Nicholson. I am grateful that we in the Bundeswehr were able to help to realize the endeavor to unveil the memorial plaque on this old granite stone. We wish to honor and remember Major Nicholson. He has not been forgotten.
Colonel Ernst-Wilhelm Harder
Commander of the Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Land Command
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