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Hi John, it's Lucas Kunce.

In a moment, I’m going to ask you to [ [link removed] ]split a donation of any amount
between my campaign and No Dem Left Behind. But first, I wanted to take a
moment to talk to you about the burn pit I lived next to in Iraq — and how
politicians like Josh Hawley failed veterans like me.

[2]burn pits
It was 2009. I was stationed at the Al Taqaddum Airbase where I was a
Marine Captain leading a police training team. Twelve Marines and a Navy
Corpsman. Running missions through Habbaniyah, Fallujah, and Ramadi.

It was my first of three tours of duty during the War on Terror. And from
our camp, the base’s burn pit loomed over us.

Smoke columns filled the sky and blew through our living space. We ran
through it, joking about how we should be doing gas mask runs. For three
months that pit bathed us in toxic fumes. We accepted it and focused on
our duty.

For me, that was planning our routes and pouring over intel to avoid the
immediate danger: IEDs on all the convoys and missions we were running
outside the wire. I was so proud to bring every member of that team home
safely.

Or so I thought — because, as it turns out, we couldn’t protect ourselves
from our own country.

When I got back from Iraq, I developed a persistent tickle in my throat.
Constant irritation. I never had allergies before and annoyed myself with
the constant throat clearing. Eventually, I was so embarrassed by it that
I went to the base clinic. They said it was postnasal drip and that they
could give me allergy medicine. There was no formal diagnosis. But over 10
years later, it’s still there.

Bothersome. Uncomfortable, but certainly manageable. And that’s about the
best story you’ll hear about a vet who’s been exposed to burn pits. Many
struggle with chronic respiratory issues. Migraines. Cancer.

So imagine how we all felt, watching all these Republicans like Josh
Hawley, most of whom have never even worn the uniform, throw us a giant
middle finger?

I know that’s harsh language, but it has to be. Because what they did was
about as anti-American as it gets. Patriots don’t attack veterans who
suffered injuries or illness from being around those toxic pits.

Many of these same Republicans spent years voting to keep us in these
forever wars, lying to the American people about what was really going on
over there, and getting rich off their defense contractor stocks that
skyrocket when we’re at war.

These people profited off of sending us over there only to screw us when
we came back messed up. It’s criminal — and I’m ready to do something
about it.

I served my country for 13 years in the United States Marine Corps. I’d
give anything for this country — and that’s exactly why I’m running to
replace Josh Hawley in the U.S. Senate.

[ [link removed] ]We deserve leaders who are willing to make even an ounce of the
sacrifice our veterans have. If you’re with me, please split a donation of
$24 or anything at all between my grassroots campaign and No Dem Left
Behind today.

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $24 → [ [link removed] ]Chip in $50 →

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $100 → [ [link removed] ]Chip in other amount →

I’m proud to have you on this team, John.

Thanks for hearing me out,

- Lucas Kunce




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