Wall Street Journal writer William McGurn recently compared the graduating ceremonies at Harvard University and Benedictine College in Kansas. He noted that "this little Kansas campus could give Cambridge a big lesson in diversity."

McGurn was guest speaker at the Benedictine commencement. Following the degrees awards, two young men in blue uniforms took the stage. They were 2nd Lt. Jeff Fetters and 2nd Lt. Michael Mundie, being presented to their class as "the newest officers in the United States Army."

Imagine that: In a time of war, men joining the armed forces amid the cheer and revelry of faculty, students and families.

"These young men will need every bit of encouragement in the world they have now entered," said retired Maj. Gen. Tom Wessels, a Benedictine alumnus. "And by golly, it was great to see them get it."

Unfortunately, for Harvard's ROTC graduates, the atmosphere will be one of grievance rather than recognition. Harvard President Drew Faust announced she would attend this year's ROTC ceremony (she has not in the past).

Although Faust espouses "greatest admiration" for Harvard's ROTC students, she has said that the opportunity to serve should be open to all Harvard students, and any reference she makes that day will be "respectfully and appropriately conveyed."

In other words, she reserves the right to use the event to voice disagreement with "don't ask, don't tell."

It is the war and policies, and not the troops, right? These Harvard types, the liberal academia, cannot for the moment recognize and honor the sacrifices of young men and women possibly going into harm's way. Yet they will go to great lengths to recognize Ward Churchill's claim that people killed in the World Trade Center attacks were involved in provoking the attack.

Harvard, honor them without embarrassment.

Paul Lehto

Pinehurst