Eyes Wide Open Exhibit (Empty Boots)
Dallas, Texas
February 28, 2005
“I’m so glad George Bush is a uniter and not a divider,” I sarcastically thought to myself as the retired Marine Viet Nam Veteran was screaming at me and the other volunteers at the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit (presented by the American Friend’s Service Committee--AFSC) in Dallas today.
The man was beside himself with fury. He accused me and the AFSC of being shameful and that the AFSC wanted to see all of our soldiers who are fighting in Iraq “tried for war crimes.” I just sat at the hospitality table trying to let the Veteran blow off some steam—I couldn’t answer his concerns at that point anyway— I felt his accusations were for the representatives of the AFSC.
The very, very angry man finally screamed one thing that I couldn’t ignore. He was practically frothing at the mouth when he roared: “You people are all cowards. You wouldn’t die for anything.”
That’s when I had had just about enough of Mr. Marine’s tirade. I stood up to him and I said: “You are wrong about that sir. I would have gladly gone to Iraq instead of my son. I would have died in his place without question.”
This simple, but true statement, which any parent would make, took the wind out of Mr. Marine’s sails. He got tears in his eyes and he said: “I’m so sorry for your loss, ma’am. I would have taken your son’s place, too.” Then we hugged each other and both of us cried..me for my devastating loss..and I’m not sure what the Veteran gentleman was crying for? My loss…or the losses he experienced as a soldier in Viet Nam? Maybe a little of both?
At that miraculous and rare point in time, a Blue State, peace activist mom and a Red state, Bush/War supporting Veteran, found common ground!! It was a very unusual and sacred moment. When we found common ground, we were able to open up an honest dialogue, which is so rare in this country these days.
There were about 50 protesters out today at the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit. They were there because they were under the mistaken impression that the AFSC wants all soldiers serving in Iraq prosecuted for war crimes. That would make me mad, also: if it were true. Most of our children in harm’s way are just trying to save their lives and the lives of their buddies. But this notion about the AFSC, is totally absurd and false. How did these otherwise, seemingly intelligent protestors get such a whacky idea?? Well, the protesters were told that this was true by a hate-mongering radio talk show host named Darell Ankarlo. He told his listeners: "Eyes Wide Open is in actuality anti-war/anti-American/anti-troops display suggesting that our military "be brought to justice" for crimes against humanity." Ankarlo also told his listeners that this statement was on the AFSC website.
Of course, this is not on the AFSC website. But don’t take my word for it. Do something that Ankarlo’s listeners did not: check it out yourself. WWW.AFSC.ORG It’s amazing to me that the protesters would come out and waste hours of their time on a beautiful Dallas morning to protest something that they didn’t even verify!!
Like I said in my speech at the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit today: “Whether one thinks this war is moral or immoral, we all agree that the 1496 young people represented in their empty boots behind me, are brave and honorable people who deserve the highest of honors and our highest respect.”
I have been all over the country protesting this war and trying to expose the reasons for going to Iraq and staying in Iraq for what they were and still are: lies. My experience in Dallas has convinced me of a certain fact: standing across from our philosophical opponents and screaming slogans at each other is not very productive. Having knee-jerk reactions to hate mongering talk show hosts is also very counter-productive! I think we as Americans have more in common with each other than not and we need to find that common ground…quickly!! We need to join together to stop the next war before it even begins this time.
Exhibits like AFSC's Eyes Wide Open is a wonderful way to honor our children's sacrifices and to bring an awareness of the true human cost of war to our nation. Click on the link to the AFSC website and you can view a short movie on the exhibit, see the list of scheduled upcoming cities where Eyes Wide Open will be, and sign a petition for peace.
(Repeated calls and e-mails to Darrell Ankarlo’s station
Sent to Darell Ankarlo from Vickie Castro
I am writing in response to some disturbing information that I have heard about comments that you made regarding the AFSC memorial on your radio show on 570 KLIF out of Dallas, Tx. Since I live in California I cannot say that I actually heard your show and have received this information second hand, so I am hoping that you did not actually say on your show that the AFSC memorial "Eyes Wide Open is an in actuality anti-war/anti-American/anti-troops display suggesting that our military 'be brought to justice' for crimes against humanity."
I don't know what website or memorial you visited, but the only part of what you said that is correct is that the group is definitely anti-war. Let me repeat that, ANTI-WAR, and let me also point out that is not a BAD thing. Anti-war is NOT anti-American or anti-troops, and nowhere on the website did I find any suggestion that our military "be brought to justice" for crimes against humanity.
After all the furor over the Dan Rather piece where a memo that could not be verified was used as fact, I would think that media people would be checking and double checking the information that they decimate for truthfulness. The Dan Rather situation brought about the termination of a number of people that should have vetted the information better. Since the AFSC is a group that has been recognized by the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize , I would think that you would not be so quick with remarks that are not even true (or should we just call them what they are, LIES).
The Eyes Wide Open Memorial is a memorial that honors not only the men and women of our military that have lost their lives in this war, but also recognizes the loss of life that has been inflicted on the Iraqi civilian population.
The Eyes Wide Open Memorial is due to come to Los Angeles in March and I am planning to see it as often as I can. I will walk through the rows upon rows of boots that represent each of our lost soldiers, and I will pay respect to each and everyone as I look for the pair of boots that will bring me to my knees. Those will be the boots of Cpl. Jonathan Castro, my only child, KIA 12/21/04. As a Gold Star Mother I cannot wait to meet the group that so lovingly transports this memorial around our nation so that all Americans can see the sacrifice that is being made by the young men and women of our country, and to thank them for not letting my son become just another statistic.
Let me point out one more time, anti-war is not a bad thing. Being anti-war does NOT mean that you are anti-American or that you do not support our troops. I support our troops with all my heart and soul, and I feel that the best way to show that support is to bring them home, NOW.
