The InterActivist Online

by Chelsea Baker

Lance Cpl. Andrew W. Nowacki, 24, S. Euclid Ohio… PFC Christopher R. Dixon, 18, Obertz, Ohio… Staff Sgt. Sean G. Laundrus, 31, Thompson, Ohio… These are just a few of the names of deceased Ohio soldiers that were part of the Eyes Wide Open: Ohio (EWOO) exhibit that came to Athens on this year’s homecoming weekend, October 21 and 22.

EWOO, which was brought to Athens by The Appalachian Peace and Justice Network (APJN) and People for Peace and Justice (PPJ), was originally intended to occupy the Howard Hall site, where it would have been in prime view amidst all the homecoming festivities, but was unfortunately forced into the Baker 1804 lounge due to weather.

Upon entering the exhibit, viewers were met with row upon row of empty military combat boots (96 total), each affixed with the name, age, and Ohio town of the fallen occupant they honor. An additional pile of civilian shoes were present to mourn the over 100,000 innocent Iraqi citizens killed during the war. A map of Ohio honored the wounded soldiers with red poppies, and a station was set up to make cards of encouragement and thanks to be sent to those still in active duty. A large sign outside of Baker Center marked to most recent death toll of the war at a total of 1,992 U.S. soldiers on the first day the display was here. The total has since surpassed 2000 and continues to rise almost daily.

EWOO is a smaller version of the American Friends and Service Committee’s nationally acclaimed exhibit, Eyes Wide Open, which began touring nationally in March 2004 and has been seen by over 400,000 people thus far, is intended to serve as a tangible memorial of the human cost of the war in Iraq. Ohio is currently the pilot project for the statewide displays, with the focus being on more rural areas that could not otherwise afford to bring the entire U.S. display.

Literature handed out at the exhibit explained that the display is not intended to be a political statement, but rather a peaceful way to provide “a human face (of both Ohioans and Iraqis) of the impact of the war and occupation”. One local volunteer, Trisha Lachman, said that her group felt, when deciding to bring EWOO to Athens, that it “seemed like an exhibit people could interact with.”

Development and Program Coordinator of APJN, Christie Truly, said that she saw no adverse reactions to the display, but did witness one woman’s emotional response upon encountering a familiar name from her home town on one of the boots.

In a notebook provided for responses to EWOO, one Athens observer wrote, “Even though I consider myself an educated person about the issues of this war, no videos, stories, or photos have hit me as hard as this exhibit. It is devastating, but also empowering.” Another wrote, “Such a shame…some of these guys are younger than me.”