The Toulouse Chapter of Democrats Abroad France, in associa

Let us not forget!  Memorial Day is a time to remember the sacrifices of Americans who died in war.

Join us over Memorial Day weekend (May 28th) when Democrats Abroad lay a wreath at a ceremony in Le Rialet near Castres (the Tarn), in remembrance of two American soldiers who were shot dead there in August 1944 serving our country as part of a clandestine OSS commando group.

Present from Washington D.C. will be Norma LaGueux, the widow of Conrad LaGueux, Captain of that OSS team. French veterans who helped the American OSS soldiers will be present. 
An American expert on that mission, code-named Operational Group Pat--will also be on hand to provide further background on the amazing story of this mission.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 28th at 10:30 AM, at the war memorial at Le Rialet. The planned program includes presentation of the colors, playing of both French and American national anthems, wreath-laying, a minute of silence, retiring of the colors and closing remarks.  A vin d'honneur will be offered following the ceremony, hosted by the village of Le Rialet.

We take this occasion not only to express how grateful we are to these brave men --but to all American soldiers and veterans who have risked their lives & health so that we might enjoy our freedom. This is also an opportunity to express our gratitude to their families too.

Children are welcome. This is a fine opportunity for the new generation to learn some local history and to appreciate the deeds of these courageous men who had parachuted by moonlight into the Tarn just a few days before their deaths in an ambush of a German patrol.They gave their lives so that France could be free and in defense of the values we all hold dear.The French will be present to honor them. Will the American community be present too?

PLEASE NOTE: WHILE THE CEREMONY IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, YOUR RSVP WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY MAY 25th IN ORDER to plan refreshments

To RSVP or for more info, please contact:
Meredith Wheeler  
Chair, Toulouse Chapter
Democrats Abroad France

Tel:  05 63 59 11 32
meredithwheeler1@gmail.com

Newly-elected International Chair of Democrats Abroad, Ken Sherman, addressed a group of Dems Abroad members in Toulouse Sunday at a lunch reception in his honor.

Nina de Voogd Fuller
Candidate for Member-at-Large
Democrats Abroad France
Email: ninadevoogd@gmail.com

I am a founding member of the Toulouse chapter of Democrats Abroad France, and have served on its executive committee in one capacity or another since its inception in 2003.

Dear Toulouse Democrat,

Yes, it is urgent!  Today will be the day Washington will never forget if we all do our part. Wednesday, February 24, is the virtual march for health care reform.  This  movement aims to inundate the Capitol with 1,000,000 voices for health care reform in anticipation of President Obama’s bipartisan meeting on health care the following day.  Please take a few minutes today to call, fax, email, or tweet, your two US Senators and the Representative for your voting district with demands to get the job done on health care.  This may be our last chance to get real health care reform.  Contact information for your members of Congress is at http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml and for your president at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

BACKGROUND
The Virtual March

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/19/838452/-MoveOn,-HCAN,-SEIU-join-us-for-massive-Feb.-24th-1,000,000-Voices-for-HCR-mobilization%5B11%5D

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/20/837892/-2-24-10:-We-stand-with-Obama-and-fight-for-the-American-people%5B10%5D

The Political Situation

The election of Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown to the Senate means that Democrats lost their 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, putting the passage of health care reform legislation in jeopardy.  Continued Republican obstruction killed momentum on health care and the issue seemed to disappear from Congress’ agenda.  President Obama will hold a bipartisan health care meeting on Thursday, February 25, to encourage Congress to get the job done.  His proposal for legislation is largely based on the health-care reform bill passed in the Senate in December.  Read the President’s proposal at http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting?source=feature and watch live streaming of the entire meeting on Thursday at http://www.whitehouse.gov

The Public Option

President Obama’s proposal does not include a public option.  Several Democrats in Congress have signaled their support for reviving the public option, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/82491-public-option-revival-movement-gains-steam

Many progressive groups and commentators are encouraging the President to abandon his attempts to engage the Republicans and to have Congress enact health care reform with a simple majority of 51 votes in the Senate by means of the reconciliation procedure.  Democrats
can no longer waste time trying to be “bipartisan” if the Republicans only obstruct in bad faith to score political points. Our country needs health care reform now and Congress needs to get it done with or without the Republicans.  Many also feel that they should aim high and again make the case to the American people for a public option:

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion/39-health-care/1071-wheres-the-public-option

http://robertreich.org/post/402861360/its-time-to-enact-health-care-with-51-senate-votes

Take action today.

Whatever you feel should be in health care legislation, please make your voice heard today by contacting your members of Congress at  http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.  (Remember that Washington, DC offices open at 9am, which is 3pm in Toulouse, so you can do this even late at night.)  and directly to the president.  These many email are going to be difficult to count - be sure to use a pithy subject line that can easily be tallied by a harried junior staff member.  You may also wish to report your participation to MoveOn.org at http://pol.moveon.org/virtualmarch10/?rc=confemail.virtualmarch&r_by=-5620345-C9nIQjx to allow them to estimate the number of people participating.

Finally,
please spread the word to all the Americans you know back in the states through emails, tweets and social networking sites. 

Sincerely,

Gina Granelli

Vice Chair

Democrats Abroad Toulouse

A resolution concerning the Bush Administration's parting 300% duty increase on Roquefort cheese (a

Hello Toulouse chapter members,

This is to remind you that next Friday, March 27th, is the deadline for your ballot in the national DAF elections to be received in Paris.

The Toulouse Chapter of Democrats Abroad France is electing new officers.