I moved to the US with my family to get away from the destruction that imprisoned us from living our lives as a sovereign Lebanese nationals. I turned the key to the off position and closed my past because of the terror we lived under when we were kids.

It took me years to even look back. We lost our identity because no one knew of what a Lebanese was. People identified us when we spoke because of our accents, or because of the color of our skin. In 1982 we were put on the map and people knew of us. But it was not because of our rich history, or because of our great summer vacation resorts, or perhaps of a medical breakthrough that found a cure of some horrific disease. It was because of our bombing and killing of US Marines in West Beirut.

It took me 25 years or so to begin to take interest of what my true identity was supposed to be. I chose to be isolated for it all. I just did not want to even live another night under gunfire or trapped in a closed dark room in the middle of the house. Or even open another can of processed meat to have for lunch or dinner. I had no interest traveling in the dark with blacked out head lights to elude any possible snipers. Or to even look at another car that is riddled with AK47 bullet holes or RPG shrapnel.

I wanted to just sleep in peace and quiet. No sounds of bombs going off in the middle of the night, no funerals of my nine year old class mates that died in the lines of fire during some battle. I was tired of seeing photos of Martyrs hanging from the street lights, and looking at statues made of ammunition brass and copper findings. I did not want to see this anymore. I was tired, I was angry, and I was done.

I just carried the anger and the sadness of losing my home from when I was young. You see, like many of us reading this article, my life was stripped from me. So many things: family, friends, school, and most of all my nationality.

A nationality that I am proud of. A nationality with a deep culture and a profound history. A nationality of freedom and spiritual commitment to our faith no matter of what faith you were born into. An intelligent culture that is filled with Ideas and opinions. A culture that has endured the worst of times and no matter what, they turned it into the best of times. Regardless of the conflict that they have had to endure, a true Lebanese would always live the best life they can.

Now, once again, bad memories are haunting me. What do I say to my children that are now asking me, "Dad why do you have tears in your eyes," as I am watching news on Lebanon? How can I explain how I feel, of how I lived, and what I have lived through? How can I tell them that I want them to go home with me to see my true blood, my land and my people? How can I express my anger and my fear with out sounding like a total ass? How can I tell them that I want to return to my homeland, but I cant?

How can we as people of such grace, pride and intelligence, be so unable to get rid of this parasite that is hounding our land? This cancer that is lingering in the dark shadows of our alleys and streets. How is it that a proud nation such as ours is unable to undo this humiliating passage that is slowly taking over everything that our forefathers have worked so hard for.

I plead with everyone to hold your ground and stress peace. A new generation is embarking on our future in government, support it and work for a common goal. Bring peace so we can all return to our homes. Bring peace so we can all work together and be recognized as a civil and educated nation. Bring peace so we can exercise our liberties and our freedom to fly the Lebanese flag. Bring peace so we can represent our country as "ONE" on the front stage of the world communities. Let us be part of a world that can prosper our economy and bring wealth to our people.

I love you all - Druze, Muslims, Christians - I love Lebanon

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