Military is best and brightest

To the editor:A recent Gallup Poll claimed no U.S. institution garners more public confidence than our military -- above even the Supreme Court. Yet liberals look down on military service with an elitist disdain. Local Democrat Linda Sanders claimed in her recent letter that Bush supporters were responsible for murdering Iraqis. Democrat John Murtha convicted our military members of murder well before their trial. Democrat Charlie Rangel claims our military is uneducated, which mirrors a statement made by Democrat John Kerry.

I do not believe military service is more honorable than any other type of service. The volunteer, teacher and public safety officer are noble causes that require personal sacrifice for the good of others. Yet since the Democratic leadership has continually attacked our military, I'd like to provide some facts.

Liberals claim only the poor and uneducated volunteer for military service. In fact, for every two recruits from a poor demographic there are three recruits from the upper-tiered demographic since 9-11. The average reading level for civilian high school graduates is a full grade lower than their military peers. Additionally, the civilian high school graduation rate is 17 percent below that of military members (source: Heritage Foundation Center for Trade and Economics). These results should not be misconstrued to demean the civilian population, but instead be used to refute the claims of misinformed Liberals. Our military is the best and brightest in history.

CHAD CRAFT, Jackson