Since March of 2003, over 2,000 American troops have been killed in Iraq.

By all accounts, this death toll — the highest for Americans since the Vietnam war — is accelerating, not slowing. The same is true for Iraqi citizens. Iraq Body Count estimates that minimally 26,732 Iraqi citizens have died in the conflict.

As troops continue to return to Iraq for multiple tours of duty, and military recruiters continue to struggle — particularly among African Americans, who overwhelmingly oppose the war — President Bush states that “the best way to honor the sacrifice of our fallen troops is to complete the mission.”  As we honor the dead of our country, many of whom are heart wrenchingly young, we must support our communities as they grieve and continue to seek ways to bridge the political divides that persist among us.

llouison