Waukesha Times

Dietmar Schultke, a German individual, recently visited Kettle Moraine Middle School to share his firsthand experiences of living behind the Iron Curtain and witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall. Schultke spoke with 6th-graders about the consequences of World War II and the loss of freedoms experienced by those living in areas controlled by the Soviet Union.

During his visit, Schultke revealed to the students, "My teachers lied to me when they taught me that the West Germans were fascists." He explained how, at their age, he realized that he was actually living under a fascist regime in East Germany, where the government tightly controlled every aspect of daily life.

Schultke's understanding of American freedoms began to develop through a family friend from West Germany who had moved to New York City. Despite his desire to travel, Schultke faced significant challenges, such as a 50-year wait for a visa and over 10 years to purchase a vehicle, with limited options available.

The impact of Schultke's story was evident as students like Faye and Avery were inspired by his account. The girls even created a 10-minute documentary featuring Mr. Schultke, focusing on a rock 'n' roll concert that played a significant role in inspiring young East Germans to challenge the government and ultimately bring down the Berlin Wall. Their video was recognized at a regional competition and will be competing at the state level in Madison on April 20th.