What to Do Wednesday
Your Weekly Guide to Staying Politically Active—From Abroad
Wednesday 27 May 2026
This week we remember the fallen, honor our veterans, and recommit ourselves to the civic duty they defended.
On Monday, Democrats Abroad Italy joined the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, where we placed a wreath in honor of the Americans who lost their lives during World War II in Italy, and in remembrance of all those who have fallen in service to our country throughout American history.
Memorial Day arrives differently when you live abroad.
As MB Dallocchio, Chair of the Democrats Abroad Italy Veterans and Military Families Caucus, wrote so beautifully in her reflection this week, remembrance does not depend on geography. It follows us across oceans. It lives in quiet moments, in names carried carefully, and in the understanding that freedom has always required sacrifice.
Here in Italy, history is not abstract. The hills and roads around us still hold the memory of war. Italy is home to two major American military cemeteries from World War II: the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial near Florence, and the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery near Rome in Nettuno. Together, they hold the remains of more than 12,000 American servicemembers who died during the Italian campaign, a number greater than those buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in France.
These cemeteries remind us that young Americans crossed an ocean to defend democracy, and many never returned home.
We also recognize the veterans who continue to live with the visible and invisible consequences of service. Memorial Day is not only about loss. It is also about responsibility: the responsibility to care for those who served, to protect democratic institutions, and to build a future worthy of the sacrifices that were made.
As Americans living abroad, one of the most meaningful ways we can honor that legacy is by participating fully in our democracy.
Our soldiers defended the right to vote.
It is now our responsibility to use it.
Hundreds of Democrats Abroad Italy members have already requested their ballots for the 2026 midterm elections, but many more still need to do so. Americans abroad have repeatedly helped determine critical elections, including Senate races that shaped the direction of our country.
This week, in memory of those who served and sacrificed, we ask every member to take one concrete civic action:
Request Your Ballot Today
Vote from abroad here: Vote from Abroad
Requesting your ballot takes only a few minutes, but participating in democracy is one of the clearest ways we can honor those who defended it.
Read MB Dallocchio’s Memorial Day Reflection
Memorial Day Abroad: Memory, Duty, and the Future We Owe
MB’s reflection on Memorial Day abroad, military service, memory, and responsibility captures the spirit of this day with extraordinary grace and humanity. We encourage all members to take a few moments to read it.
Join the Democrats Abroad Italy Military Veterans and Military Families Caucus
If you are a veteran, active-duty military, military family member, or simply wish to support this community and its work, we invite you to join the Democrats Abroad Italy Veterans and Military Families Caucus.
Today we remember the fallen.
We honor veterans and military families.
And we recommit ourselves to the work of democracy.
Because remembrance alone is not enough.
We must also help shape the future they sacrificed to protect.
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
— Elmer Davis
Democrats Abroad Italy Events
Participate in a Democrats Abroad Italy monthly Country Committee meeting. Join us to find out about what is happening in each region and how you can get involved. Meetings are held monthly and last one hour. Friday 12 June @09:00
Live near Venice? Join the Triveneto Precinct team as we staff a Vote From Abroad (VFA) station at the Santa Lucia Train Station in Venice 12 Jun Vote From Abroad outreach, Venice
Join us for a delicious taste of Maine, great connections, and voter registration at our Apericena in Milan - June 16
Let's celebrate America together! Fourth of July BBQ & Lake Party - Celebrate America's 250th!
With determination and gratitude,
Leyani Redditi
Chair
Democrats Abroad Italy
P.S. 16.5% of our members have already requested their ballots. Are you one of them? If not, help us get to 25% by the end of J!! Click the link below to go to Vote from Abroad or let us know you've already requested your ballot, or need some help. We’re here to make sure your vote counts!