We have featured earlier versions of the designated Star Tribune "letter of the day" here a few times over the past week, most recently yesterday. Published under the heading "It's strike three for antiwar Nick Coleman," here it is:

Nick Coleman is at it again. His third column attacking Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and Gold Star parents just reinforces the fact that he and his radical friends feel that "free speech" is only allowable if it attacks the war, the troops or the administration. Perhaps that is why in a Military Times Iraq Poll of service members (released January 2006), four of every five respondents said they believe media reports often are "inaccurate."

Too bad that our veterans and Gold Star parents have to purchase ad space to get their side of the argument out. However, veterans owe Coleman a debt of gratitude for one thing: He, along with the recent statements of Minnesota DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez, exposed the real "Big Lie" the radical left and some like Coleman in the media have been saying about the war in Iraq. That "lie" started at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom: "We support the troops but not their mission."

By calling the Midwest Heroes ad "un-American, untruthful and a lie," they have proven they support neither the troops nor their mission. I suspect they never have.

LT. COL. JOE REPYA, EAGAN; CURRENTLY ON CONVALESCENT LEAVE FROM DUTY IN IRAQ

Col. Repya writes us today: "Finally, and letter of the day! Thanks for your support."