Vermont to Long Island

The trip from Burlington, Vermont to the next stop on the exhibit tour in Long Island passed close to the Canadian border.

The U.S. Customs Service had set up a road block in Vermont, stopping all vehicles.

Asked what was in the truck, our AFSC staff person, Stephen told the agent that it was Eyes Wide Open, an exhibit about the human cost of the Iraq War. The custom agent's eyes seemed to glaze over, not understanding. Stephen tried a few more explanations. Finally at a bit of a loss, Stephen said: "It's the boots exhibit."

The eyes of the customs agent lit up, he tapped the cab and said, "Oh, good work, keep on going."

He did not even open up the back of the truck to inspect it.