On this special day of remembrance, let us honor those who have served with such honor, courage and sacrifice - often while being shamefully manipulated and discarded by leaders who lied and continue to lie.

Let us also remember the fallen in Iraq who never chose war, or donned a uniform. According to UN, hospital and reputable survey figures, more than two million Iraqi people have died since 1991 - mostly under U.S. bombing, shelling and medical sanctions. Unless cleaned up by U.S. forces, the radioactive residue from DU and NDU munitions exploded in their neighborhoods will continue poisoning wombs in an act of genocide until the Earth is consumed by its sun.  

So it is time, as well, to honor those serving American soldiers whose true patriotism led them to uphold their military oath in courageously refusing to commit war crimes by obeying illegal orders. 

On June 7, 2006 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, a Hawaiian-born U.S. Army artillery lieutenant refused orders to deploy to Iraq, after learning that it was an illegal war of occupation.

"I feel that we have been lied to and betrayed by this administration," Watada said from Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington. "It is the duty, the obligation of every soldier, and specifically the officers, to evaluate the legality, the truth behind every order - including the order to go to war."

Watada further stated that the "war in Iraq violates our democratic system of checks and balances.”

"I think they will do their best to make an example of me," he added.