It's interesting to note that the party which seems to whine the most
about the lack of patriotism of the other party, seems to have a lax
record when it comes to actually defending this country. Check it out.
 

House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt - Served his country in uniform, 1965-71
House Majority Leader Dick Armey- avoided the draft, did not serve.

House Minority Whip David Bonior - Served his country in uniform, 1968-72
House Majority Whip Tom Delay - avoided the draft, did not serve.

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich - avoided the draft, did not serve

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle - Served his country in uniform, 1969-72
Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott - avoided the draft, did not serve.

Bob Kerrey... Democrat... Congressional Medal of Honor, Vietnam, lost a leg
John Kerry... Democrat...Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam
Phil Gramm - avoided the draft, did not serve, four (?) student deferments

Former Vice President Al Gore - Served his country in uniform, 1969-71; recipient of Vietnam Service Medal
Current Vice President Dick Cheney - avoided the draft, several deferments, the last by marriage
                                                         ("had other priorities than military service")

Att'y Gen. John Ashcroft - avoided the draft, sought deferment to teach business ed at SW Missouri State

Daniel Inouye...  Democrat... Congressional Medal of Honor, World War Two
Charles Rangel...Democrat... Bronze Star, Korea
Max Cleland..   . Democrat... Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam, lost BOTH legs and an arm
Howell Heflin...  Democrat... Silver Star
Ted Kennedy...   Democrat... U.S. Army, 1951-1953.
Tom Harkin ...    Democrat... U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
Leonard Boswell.Democrat...Two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses
as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier's Medal.

Mike Thompson...Democrat...Served in combat with the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant/platoon leader
with the 173rd Airborne Brigade; wounded and received Purple Heart.

John McCain...GOP... POW Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Chuck Hagel...GOP...Two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, Vietnam.
Duke Cunningham...GOP...Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, Purple Heart

Karl Rove - avoided the draft, did not serve, .
"B-1" Bob Dornan - avoided Korean War combat duty by enrolling in college acting classes (Orange County Register article)

George W Bush...skipped Vietnam in favor of six year NG tour, that only lasted 4 years, went AWOL