Eyes Wide Open

aktse

Eyes Wide Open is an traveling exhibition on the human cost of the war featuring a pair of boots honoring each U.S. military casualty and a field of shoes that memorialized the civilians killed in the conflict. This installation paid tribute for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It made a stop at Palo Alto, CA this weekend and I dropped by early in the morning before the crowds showed up.
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A handful of boots have flowers in them and I believe friends/family brought them. A few had hand written notes (one tear stained). Very, very moving... I left with a very heavy heart.
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1. Casey Sheehan, Vacaville, CA, Age 24. Son of Cindy Sheehan.
Purple Heart and Bronze Star with V for Valor posthumously awarded
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Cindy Sheehan became a controversial anti-war protester due to the death of her son.

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2. 427 pairs of empty boots

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3. Kenneth Ballard, Mountain View CA
Hs family left highlights from his life such as how he was in charge of making the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving starting at age 4. Others detailed how they owned their lives to him.
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Bronze Star (2 for Valor), Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge. ---- Hero.

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4. LCpl Jesus Alberto Suarez Del Solar, Age 20 -- Escondido, CA
Suarez immigrated to the United States with his family in the late 1990s;
He leaves behind a wife and a new baby named Erik. He died in combat.

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5. Leslie Jackson, Richmond, Va, Age 18
She died in Baghdad, Iraq, when her military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device as it was returning to camp.

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6. These shoes represent the just a fraction of those who gave their life for our country.

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7. LCpl Andrew S. Dang, Age 20, Foster City, CA The photo of his tombstone sent shivers down my spine.
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Dang died due to hostile fire near Ar Ramady, Iraq.

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8. SPC Jeffrey D. Bisson, Age 22, Vista, CA
He was among four soldiers killed when a roadside bomb exploded near their Humvee in Karmah, west of Baghdad

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9. Karina Lau, Livingston, CA, Age 20
Her family wanted people to know who she was and left this beside her boots.

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10. Civilian Cost
A shoe labyrinth for the civilians. This was very painful to walk through.... I could barely finish.
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According to the Iraq Body Count, there have been between 83,336-90,897 documented civilians deaths since March 2003.

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11. One year old – Just still a baby

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Thanks for looking. C&C Welcomed.
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Cantfeelmyfingers

Very powerful. Definitely makes you stop and think. Thanks for sharing

mr peas

Moving photographs. Definitely brings remembrance. Thank you very much for sharing.

dawssvt

Wow... Very powerful shots! Nice work.

ShepsMom

Gosh, made me teary.... :cry

Cuong

April, your photos really capture the solemn mood of the exhibit.

Cuong

Tango

death due to war is beyond discription, from any view point.

sorry for her & her son

ladytx

Awesome capture of this very moving display.

BriShay

oh goodness..... hard to look at

JavaLover

You captured it very well. Really bring the reality of war home.

aktse

Thanks you so very much for the kinds words and I really wished that I had flowers for each boot. :cry I just wanted to show that they were still remembered...

If you have a chance, I suggest everyone visit the Eye's Wide Open Exhibit.

It acutally travels across the US. For the month of May, it's stopping in Chicago, New York, Texas, Oregon, and many, many more places.

It's worth a stop and a photo or two.

amscout

WOW, very emotional. You captured it well. It's sad to see that these guys dying are only 18, 19, 20 yrs old. I can't imagine...