The following letter is from Tim Dunlap of Farmington, NM:
Personally speaking as a two-time war veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, I fully support Mr. Kokesh in his endeavor to become a representative in the United States Congress from the state of New Mexico. He has been serving the people of the United States for as long as I have known him. Mr. Kokesh represents New Mexico values. He has what it takes to become one of the best representatives for this state, and he will bend over backwards to assist the people with key issues. The courage and motivation that drives Mr. Kokesh is inscrutably unique.
I am from Farmington, New Mexico. I was born here, and lived here my whole life, except for the time I spent serving our country. During these times I was stationed in Ft. Hood Texas with the 4th Infantry Division, 1/66 Armor. This is who I deployed to Iraq with in 2003. After my service there, I went to Ft. Drum, New York where I served with the 10th Mountain Division on a reconnaissance unit, 3/71 CAV (RSTA). I deployed to Afghanistan with this unit in 2006. One of my good friends in this unit who sacrificed the ultimate price won the Medal of Honor. His name was SFC Jared Monti. During this same firefight I was injured in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, and ended up spending almost three months in a hospital, and another year in physical therapy.
This is when I met Mr. Kokesh. Dealing with overcrowding, patient rights, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the other problems that returning injured solders were facing were significant. Mr. Kokesh had come up and assisted me with some of these issues. It was great to see someone reaching out to help when most were either too busy or just seemed not to care. I have had the pleasure of knowing some outstanding citizens of this country and am proud to say that Mr. Kokesh is one of them.
The values of a state represent the people. These values include integrity, perseverance, and dedication. Mr. Kokesh represents these values and will represent them for the state of New Mexico. He will represent the values of New Mexico for all the people fairly and justifiably. To serve in this sense takes a representative of courage and honor, and I know exactly what it means to serve with courage and honor. This courage and honor that Mr. Kokesh displays is exactly the dedication that it will take to represent the people and veterans of New Mexico.
I knew Mr. Kokesh when I was in the military and he showed exemplified service. Mr. Kokesh served with honor, loyalty, and the many values that this state is in need of. I know exactly what it means to speak out, and he has the voice and knowledge to do just that. Mr. Kokesh will listen to the voice of the people and the veterans, and fight for what is right. Whether it is standing up for the opinions of the people, or stepping up to President Obama, if it needs to be done, he will do it.
This kind of incomparable service that Mr. Kokesh will represent for our state and the people within our state makes veterans like me proud. He will stand up for us veterans with the most sagacious representation and will make the people of New Mexico very proud. Mr. Kokesh has what it takes to beat Mr. Luján in economic issues, health care, and standing up for constituents. Mr. Kokesh will actually make things happen, and speak out for the people. Speaking as a veteran, a citizen, and as a person who is constantly active within his community, I would like to see Mr. Kokesh representing myself, my district, and my state.
