Seattle

Stacy Bannerman of Kent, Washington says she is glad Eyes Wide Open is coming to the South Sound area of the state. Her husband, Sgt. Lorin Bannerman, a Washington National Guardsman, returned last month after 13 months in Iraq with the 81st Brigade Combat Team.

“By understanding the human cost of war, we’re less likely to go to war in the future,” she said.

According to Stacey many Americans are sheltered from the conflict in Iraq. There’s no draft, no ration, no Liberty bonds, no all-out war effort back home.

“This is the first war of its size and duration in which the whole of this nation isn’t sharing a part of the burden,” Bannerman said. “I think that makes it easier to turn away.” That is why she has been supporting Eyes Wide Open throughout its Northwest tour.