It is time for our annual day of reflection, commemorating U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. This holiday began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.

Arab Americans have served in America’s military with honor and distinction throughout our history. And they continue to do so today.

But surely the greatest respect we can give today to those troops currently serving this country is to end the war in Iraq and bring those men and women home.

Thousands of our young people have died in this illegitimate war, advocated for by people who had ulterior motives in mind.  This war was promoted on the basis of bald-faced lies and has completely upended our status as a democratic country promoting civil and human rights around the world.

So many American families are torn apart. So many veterans are committing suicide. So many survivors are receiving substandard care. So many more terrorists are being created every day by our failed policy in the Middle East.

It is more than time to end the Iraq war, settle the Arab-Israeli conflict, stop threatening war against Iran. pull our troops out of the Middle East and put some sanity into our policies.

Meanwhile, we salute all the troops who have served.