Boot display bringing out emotions Exhibit in Ravenna today and Sunday By Tom Prusha. Record-Courier staff writer

Saturday, October 1, 2005 - Barbara Gaskins and Carol O’Laughlin found compassion among the people who visited their display of 89 pairs of boots Friday on the Portage County Courthouse lawn in Ravenna.

Each of the pairs of boots represents a military man or woman from Ohio who has died in Iraq. The display is sponsored by the Portage Democratic Coalition and American Friends, which is part of the Quaker’s organization.

Poppies made by disabled military veterans represent the troops who have been injured in the war, Gaskins said.

“I think this is the right thing to do. We have to show our respect to these young people who gave their lives, and we should honor them for that,” O’Laughlin said.

 

“We have had older people, younger people, families, vets from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and even vets of the Iraqi War,” Gaskins said.

O’Laughlin said one of the more difficult times came when a young Marine stopped by to look for a pair of boots representing a friend who had died.

“It was terribly emotional. He stood there crying. He was crying when he walked away,” she said.

Gaskins said a woman stopped by and said her son and husband were both in Mosul.

“She stood there crying silently and finally she said ‘Thank you for standing here with me,’” Gaskins said.

The display will remain at the courthouse lawn all day today and Sunday.

There will be a silent candlelight vigil at dusk Saturday.

E-mail: tprusha@recordpub.com
Phone: (330) 296-9657