Thank you for printing all the comments from the members of our armed forces and their families. These columns have really been some of the most powerful and moving that I have ever read on OpinionJournal.

Kerry, Rangel and the rest of their comrades try to criticize our military by saying that it is an option for those who aren't as well educated or don't have as many opportunities. To that I say, So what? My cousin Geoffrey was a high school dropout, and we were all worried that he was headed for serious trouble. Inspired by his father, who had served in the Navy, Geoffrey got his GED and enlisted in the Marines. His unit guarded the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, for awhile and after a few years back in the U.S., he is now in Iraq.

While of course we are all worried about him and pray for his safe return, I could not be prouder of him and have to give credit to the United States Marine Corps. Simply put, the Marines saved his life. Before the Marines, he was lost, unfocused and uneducated, and I halfway expected to hear one day that he had ended up in jail or worse. Now, he is continuing his education and has been repeatedly promoted up the ranks. Geoffrey has an energy and focus to him that was completely lacking before. He stands so straight and proud, as well he should, because of all that he has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in the future.

I am 28 years old and know many fine people who have served in the Middle East, from the first Gulf War to the current conflict, as well as the period in between. Many of these people are like those described in the emails you have printed: West Point grads, attorneys, engineers, etc. (My law school class at the University of Florida had a lot of veterans, and a number of them are now in the JAG corps.) Others are like my cousin: They may start off a little rough around the edges, but they are intelligent enough to recognize the opportunities available in the U.S. military and courageous and dedicated enough to take full advantage of those opportunities.

How dare Rangel, Kerry, et al., insinuate that these soldiers are stupid or pathetic, or worthy of pity! All of our soldiers, whether they graduate at the top of their class from an Ivy League university or come from a humbler background, represent the best and brightest that America has to offer.

God bless the United States Marine Corps and all of our troops and their families.

Dan Draney notes that the stupid-soldier stereotype has made its way into popular culture:

I saw a recent episode of "Family Guy," wherein Chris decides to enlist, and his family reacts with horror that he could be so stupid.

This feature of the liberal mindset is very hard to shake, and it's worth asking why that is the case.

To avoid being accused of "questioning their patriotism," I'll speak of liberals in general, rather than Kerry and Rangel in particular. There is a strong current in liberal ideology that holds that patriotism or nationalism is, at best, naive. This is a popular sentiment among European leftists, and it is voiced more openly over there. Patriotism, particularly American patriotism, is seen as evidence of a lack of sophistication. In this view, feeling patriotic is only for rubes who are being manipulated (by conservatives, of course). The idea that something greater than oneself might actually be worth fighting for, and risking death for, is "obviously" wrong, and no one in the know seriously believes it. Since our troops have signed up to do that, it follows they are either foolish, lacking any good alternative or both.

This also explains the prevalence of the "chickenhawk" attack meme. Whether or not someone personally served in the military has little bearing on the validity of his opinion on matters of war and peace, of course. However, to an antiwar type who believes implicitly that patriotism and military service are only for dummies, lack of military service in a "hawk" is a gotcha. The liberal projects his own disdain for patriotism and the military onto the hawk. The hawk, in the liberal's mind, must also recognize that it's all a cynical game, since he didn't fall for the scam.

Liberals also view conservatives as dimwitted. Since the military is much more conservative than the general population, that also fits the "troops are stupid" theme. So mere facts and statistics are not going to persuade the liberals otherwise. They don't even realize how condescending and obnoxious this attitude is.

David Curtin has a view from campus:

I am a college professor at a Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. I see a pretty broad cross-section of students in my 101-level class, and without fail, the ones who are ROTC or in the reserves (many of whom have been in Iraq) are always among the top performers in my class (which most of the students find to be pretty difficult).

If Kerry or Rangel ever spent a little time on a college campus, he would immediately see that the real truth is just the opposite of what they think: that students who are or have been in the military tend to have better grades and thus more options in life. The fact that their schooling is paid for by their own hard work in the military makes it valuable to them, and they really apply themselves--even in a subject (music appreciation) that may not interest them.

Contrast this with the future prospects of a typical student, whose parents are paying for everything, who is really only there to drink and party and do the least amount of work possible to avoid an F. You get the idea.

Col. Donald Thompson, an Air Force surgeon, emails us from the front:

I have been watching your Rangel and Kerry columns go by, and finally have a few moments to add my two cents. It is 2130 in Kabul. I have worked only 15 hours today, and I am tired. I may be the village idiot for choosing to be here, but I am having the time of my life.

A bit of background: I have a bachelor's degree, a doctor of medicine, a master's of public health and tropical medicine, and a master's degree from seminary. I have an academic appointment at a medical school. I raised my hand a year ago when told of the opportunity to contribute to the reconstruction of the health sector in Afghanistan.

Here's how my day went today: This morning I spent about an hour with about 30 generals and colonels, the senior leadership of the Afghan National Army medical services, many of whom spent the past 20 years fighting the Soviets, the mujahedeen and the Taliban. I am continually honored by their respect for me, an outsider, as I give advice on rebuilding their combat casualty care system while fighting insurgents. Afghans are a rugged, determined people, and I learn from them daily. They are focused on efficient, effective management of their system, and they will succeed.

Next, my staff and I celebrated and mourned the departure of one of our officemates, who is returning to the States this weekend after her deployment. She had a great deployment, contributed much to moving the country forward, and will be missed both by the Afghans with whom she worked every day and by us. She will look back on this time with great fondness, and with no small degree of patriotic pride for her contribution to the war effort.

I then donned my body armor and Kevlar helmet, chambered a round in my Beretta, and put it under my thigh as I led our convoy back to the base. As I drove down the road, I carefully looked at each child and adult who ran out into the street. Is that man wearing a suicide vest under his cloak? Is that car sagging because its springs are worn out, or because it is carrying an IED?

I am working with some of the best American, French, British, German, Dutch, Croatian, Albanian, Turkish, Romanian, Italian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Korean, Polish, Spanish and Australian men and women in the world. I serve alongside brave, determined Afghans, many of whom have come back to their native country from the West by choice. Afghanistan is better off today than it was several years ago. There is much to do, and I am honored to be a part of it. I will remember this assignment as the high point of my career in the Air Force.

I take great comfort in realizing that the vast majority of our elected representatives are not fools, but I will continue to defend the rights of those who are. Yep, I may be the village idiot, but not for choosing to be here.

Lisa Highley gives a mother's view:

I am so enraged by the military-bashing Rangel, Kerry, et al., and ashamed for those who voted them into office. I started reading your published letters and was amazed at hearing about all our incredibly talented servicepeople. I cannot believe with our country struggling on so many terror fronts (even our homeland) that our Congress is saying such things.

My son will graduate ROTC (Navy) in May. Despite his high IQ and potential for lucrative private employment and despite being engaged to a wonderful girl and despite his desire to attend a theological seminary for graduate school, he is anxious and thrilled to be serving his country upon graduation.

In reading through your responses, I know we have the volunteer professionals serving that we need and we will prevail, despite our Congress. I feel secure that our rights and freedoms will be defended. I feel confident that my son will have excellent leadership guiding him and fantastic medical service should he need it.

Too bad our media cannot report this story in an accurate and objective manner. I'm proud of my son and I feel so honored to be the mother of a future Navy officer. I want to thank all those that wrote in and say I appreciate your dedication and your sacrifice. You have delayed or set aside personal gain in an age of "do it for yourself." Our Founding Fathers would be proud of you as well.

Here are links to the first, second and third installments; we'll have more tomorrow.