A Marine is celebrating Independence Day by placing American flags in his front lawn.
It's something he does every year, but this 4th of July he's hoping to send a positive message about Muslim-Americans.
"It's an American holiday. It should be celebrated by every American," Ali Fayad said.
He was born in Lebanon, raised in New York and now lives in Dearborn.
He is an Arab-American, but he doesn't like to be called that.
"I don't like "Arab-American," "Indian-American," we are all American. Everybody came from somewhere. We are all migrants to this land."
At a young age, he wanted to join the military.
After the attacks on September 11th, he joined the Marines because he felt it was his duty to protect our country.
"At 19, deployed to Iraq twice."
At the height of the Iraq War, he was on patrol in Fallujah when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.
"Very common, we would get hit by IED's all the time."
While most of us would be shaking in our boots, Ali loved being a Marine.
"It's a brotherhood like there's no other."
Ali says it's disheartening to know that some people equate Islam to terrorism and that ISIS should not be a representation of Muslims.
"That person will tell me, 'how are they not Muslim if they are doing it in the name of Islam?' Which I understand, but the Westboro Baptist Church is not considered true, good Christians, the KKK is not considered good, white Americans that are practicing Christianity," he explained. "And those guys are not good Muslims practicing the Muslim religion."
Ali believes ISIS will eventually be defeated.
"For example after 9-11 until now, we desecrated Al-Qaeda, it's going to take time."
Ali always show his patriotism, not just on the 4th of July.
"I was given so much by this country. I was offered so much, so I said whenever the chance presents itself repay back my dues for this country."
