Diary Entry - 03/25/1985
Key Facts
President Reagan is awakened at 7am to the news that a US Army Major stationed in East Germany had been shot and killed by a Soviet Border Guard.
President Reagan hosts a working breakfast with members of the "Godfrey Sperling Breakfast Group".
Edwin Meese III becomes U.S. attorney general.
Awakened at 7 A.M. by Bud M. An American Major based in East Germany was shot by a Soviet guard in what has to be called murder. The Major was one of 14 U.S. mil. in East G.—the Soviets have 14 in W. Germany. Our man was only doing what both sides are permitted—indeed are supposed to do. The sentry opened fire—they kept the Sgt. pinned down so he couldn’t get to the Major (37 yrs. old) and administer 1st aid. The Soviet medics arrived one hour later. The Major had died. This was Sperlings annual press brkfst. in our St. dining room. It was an hour or more of Q&A. No ringers. Everything went well. Later in the office Max Kampelman arrived from Geneva.
He spent the day lobbying Congressmen on the MX & at 6:30 was on a plane heading back to Geneva. Had a good meeting with more than 100 Central Am. Leaders. They can really lift your morale. Then a meeting with Mayors, leaders of groups like Big Brothers etc. to kick off a lobbying effort in behalf of a lower minimum wage for teenagers in summer jobs. Then some more phone calls to Congressmen & finally a meeting in the East room with about 180 Congressmen to hear Max Kampelman do Q&A on the MX. Home & Mother.
