Eyes Wide Open boots exhibit

From CS-Quakers

Over the years many members of our meeting have helped with the Eyes Wide Open boots exhibit whenever it was in the NY Metropolitan Area.

The “Eyes Wide Open” boots exhibit is presented by the American Friends Service Committee. The Quaker testimony against war flows from the belief that there is that of God in each person. The exhibit consists of a pair of combat boots for every military combatant lost in the Iraq War. Boots are labeled with name, age, rank and home state. They act as receptacles for memorabilia. Each is a tiny sanctuary. The pairs of boots are heavy and the care taken of them and their placement, so loved ones can be found, is extraordinary. In addition, pairs of civilian shoes representing civilian deaths acknowledge that war is costly and peace priceless. This is a compassionate gift to us, a tangible place to grieve.