OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
“If the news about our military must first be approved by the government, then the public is no longer getting independent reporting. It is getting only what officials want them to see…That should alarm every American.”--Mike Balsamo, Pres. National Press Club
“Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television, and we have to stand up to it...The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.” –Jimmy Kimmel
THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT
"As the only elected official who represents everyone in the U.S., the president is expected to be a unifying leader for the whole nation — not just for their political party or supporters. The president should, therefore, exemplify the highest leadership qualities and honor the values of democracy...The president is the elected leader of the entire U.S. and must serve all who live here — not merely one constituency. They are responsible to everyone, and we have the reciprocal responsibility of holding the president accountable for everyone’s well-being. This is a central characteristic of living in a democratic society.”
Greetings! So many freedoms are disappearing! Does the following statement sound like it comes from a democratic country with freedom of the press?
“Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified.” This is from a 17-page memo distributed September 18, 2025 announcing restrictions on the press imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump.
First Amendment 101: Freedom of the Press
“Imagine a country where journalists could be punished for telling the truth. Where the government could silence a story before it’s even published. Sounds like something out of a dystopian novel, right? Maybe something you'd see in a movie or hear in a podcast about authoritarian regimes. But here’s the truth: this is a very real concern — even here in the United States.”
Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post stated “The Constitution protects the right to report on the activities of democratically elected and appointed government officials…Any attempt to control messaging and curb access by the government is counter to the First Amendment and against the public interest.”
We need to all stand up and be counted!
Let us not forget this statement from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage…Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent.”
We all need to dissent and we all need to continue to contact our elected officials to demand that all citizens are represented equally and that they are not deprived of their legal rights and freedoms. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: at +1 (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your Senators and Representatives.
For those who have a little spare time, there are lots of DA volunteer opportunities that need your help! Top of the list is the Phonebanking Campaign that desperately needs more callers! Spread the word for experienced callers and new recruits to join us!
New volunteers: Go to democratsabroad.org/phonebanking_training
Returning volunteers: Go to democratsabroad.org/phonebanking or straight to https://app.callhub.io/login/
Be sure to attend one of the USAG Retiree Events for U.S. government retirees at an installation near you this month-check dates in October Events.
Make sure your voice speaks for you at the ballot box! Have YOU requested your absentee ballot? Have you filled it out and returned it???? Your vote is needed! QUESTIONS? Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Robert Scott and Terese Sarno
DAG VMF Caucus Co-Chairs DA Germany
What would you like to organize? Contact us at [email protected]
Ready to join our caucus? Be part of the conversation and make your voice heard!
Freedom of Expression - Amnesty International
"The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets out in broad terms the human rights that each of us has. It was later protected legally by a raft of international and regional treaties… However, these very freedoms come under regular attack by governments that want to stifle criticism."
TWO LEADERSHIP RETREATS IN OCTOBER OPEN TO ALL:
DA Germany Fall Leadership Retreat, October 17-19 in Halle an der Salle, Germany. All DA Germany members are encouraged to attend! Registration now open.
EMEA Region Leadership Retreat, October 10-12 in Brussels. For more information, visit the Retreat Event site. To RSVP, visit the Registration Page here.
The retreat, Breakthrough ‘26: A Blueprint for a Way Forward, will prepare EMEA leaders and super-volunteers for the challenges we need to meet and overcome leading up to the 2026 midterms. We’ll be developing shared best practice and seeking to expand ways to collaborate across the region, making our efforts easier and more powerful. Workshops and sessions will focus on:
Breaking-Up with familiar, but less-effective, practices.
Breaking-Through by building execution plans, and
Breaking-In approaches to implementing solutions.
TAKE ACTION UPDATE!
Keep these contacts handy and please keep up the pressure on all of our elected officials - pressuring them to do more and of course giving thanks where it is due!
Remember to mention that you are an overseas voter.
-Contact Your Representatives in the House
-Contact Your State Attorney General
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
ALL U.S. CITIZENS ABROAD ARE URGED TO REGISTER / REQUEST THEIR BALLOT! Protect your vote, and protect our democracy by voting in all elections for which you are eligible. There are important governor elections in VA and NJ, three state supreme court seats in PA, and over 30 state-wide ballot initiatives including states like CA, TX, ME. Thirty-eight major cities are electing mayors, including cities like New York, Miami, and Boston! Send in an FPCA registration/request form now to request your overseas absentee ballot for the year. Ask to receive your ballot by email/online delivery. www.VotefromAbroad.org! Ballots are already in the mail. Haven’t received your absentee ballot? Immediately request an emergency back up ballot!
HOW TO VOTE USING THE EMERGENCY BACK-UP BALLOT (FWAB)
QUESTIONS? Email us at [email protected] or [email protected]. We’re here to help you vote!
CA State General - Nov 4
register as overseas voter (by Oct 20); return ballot (fax by Nov 4)
NJ State General - Nov 4
register (by Oct 14); request ballot (by Oct 31); return ballot (email by Nov 4, also mail at same time)
PA State General - Nov 4 (only intend to return may vote)
register (by Oct 20); request ballot (by Nov 3); return ballot (Mail only; signed by Nov 3 & received by Nov 12)
TX-18 Special Federal General - Nov 4
register, request ballot electronically (by Oct 24); return ballot (Mail only, postmark by Nov 4 & received by Nov 10)
VA State General - Nov 4
register (by Oct 14); request ballot (by Oct 24); return ballot (Mail only, postmark Nov 4 & received by Nov 7)
TENNESSEE Congressional District TN-7 - Dec. 2 Special Election
request ballot (by Nov 22) returned ballot received by Dec 2
(Primaries are scheduled for October 7, 2025.)
How to Vote Absentee for Military and Overseas Voters
OCTOBER EVENTS
October 1 – Know Your GI Bill - Registration 7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. CET
October 3, 1990 – What Happened the Day the Berlin Wall Fell
October 7 – Tennessee CD7 (Special Primary)
October 13 – U.S. Navy (USN) 250th Birthday
October 14 – Columbus Day
October 17 – USAG Benelux/Brunssum, Retiree Appreciation Day
October 18 – USAG Benelux/SHAPE, Retiree Appreciation Day
October 18 – NO KINGS DAY 
Reclaiming Democracy, Rejecting Authoritarianism
SchoolHouse Rock - No More Kings
October 22 – USAG Ansbach, Retiree Appreciation Day
October 26 – Day of the Deployed
October 28 – USAG Bavaria (Grafenwoehr) Retiree Appreciation Day
October 30 – USAG Stuttgart Retiree Appreciation Day
October 31 – VFW Youth Scholarships deadline
Upcoming Events:
November 11–Ring The Bells of Peace on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. Will you participate this year? Send us a photo! [email protected]
November 15 – USAG Wiesbaden Retiree Appreciation Day
Upcoming DA Activities
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
End of Checks to And From DFAS – options for customers living overseas
House NDAA would exempt Defense civilians from union ban
Union officials said Friday that a discharge petition is just two signatures shy of the 218 needed to force a floor vote on legislation to undo President Trump’s executive order barring collective bargaining at most federal agencies.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your Reps to support the discharge petition
Bill to nullify Trump’s union executive orders introduced by 48 senators
Veterans who lack citizenship fear being swept up in deportations
New burial laws to modernize German funeral culture – DW – 09/20/2025
Defense Sec.Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for Pentagon reporters
What We Can Learn from a Special Election in Iowa
‘Sesame Street’ launches new resources to encourage healthy habits for military kids
In It Together | Healthy, Happy, Ready
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