DA Germany Veterans and Military Families Caucus
"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." — Unknown
Democrats Abroad Germany (DAG) honors the men and women of our armed forces, and is committed to representing their best interests in the democratic process. Government policy must reflect the interests of those who serve or have served honorably, those who support them overseas and their families. In order to support these efforts, DAG established the Veterans and Military Families Caucus (VMFC) in 2018 at the AGM in Hamburg. This caucus works with the leadership of Democrats Abroad Germany and the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) to achieve mutual goals, and to assure caucus members that the Democratic Party is fully supportive of their needs while serving (and after service) on behalf of their country.
Join the DAG VMF caucus—https://www.democratsabroad.org/vmf_signup
Looking for 25 new members! All DAG members are eligible to join.
Send us an email after you join! [email protected]
Ask a friend to join today. Help us reach our goal!
January 2023 Calendar
JANUARY 2023 CALENDAR
JANUARY is
National Stalking Awareness Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 1 – Request your absentee ballots for 2023. All overseas U.S. citizens must do this each year. Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org today!
January 3 – The new Congress begins at noon January 3 of each odd-numbered year following a general election unless a different day is designated.
January 11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 14 - VMF Caucus Meeting 07:00 EST WebEx link
January 15, 1870 - The first use of a donkey to symbolize the Democratic
Party in America appeared in a cartoon in Harper's Weekly.
January 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17 – Climate Smart: Humanities Organizations
(Application deadline: January 17, 2023)
January 19 – Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants
(Application deadline: January 19, 2023)
January 22, 1973 - Abortion became legal in the U.S. when the Supreme Court announced its decision in the case of Roe vs. Wade striking down local state laws restricting abortions in the first six months of pregnancy.
June 28, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade decision (6-3 vote).
"Believe in the power of your own voice. The more noise you make, the more accountability you demand from your leaders, the more our world
will change for the better." –Al Gore
December 2022 Calendar
DECEMBER is
UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH
December 1 - IRS Webinar–Thursday, 7:00pm to 9:00pm CET (1:00pm to 3:00pm EST)
Are you an American citizen with questions about your U.S. taxes?
The DA Veterans and Military Families Caucus invites you to attend a free webinar, organized by the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, in which Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representatives will share tax information relevant to Americans living overseas and answer your questions.
December 1 - VA Secretary press conference, 2000 to 2200 CET (1400 to 1500 EST)
December 6 - Careers in Cybersecurity USO MVP Zoom 1700 CET (1100 EST)
December 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 8 - FBI Jobs USO MVP Zoom 1900 CET
December 10 - VMF Caucus Meeting 1600 EST WebEx link
December 10 - Human Rights Day
December 15 - Bill of Rights Day
December 15 - Wright Brothers Day
December 17 – National Wreaths Across America Day
December 31 – Universal Hour of Peace
Wreaths Across America
Upcoming DA Activities
November 2022 Calendar
National Family Caregivers Month
Warrior Care Month
November 1-5 National Veterans Small Business Week
November 3 Interview Prep Workshop USO MVP Zoom 1600 CET
November 4 Mindfulness Meditation - 11a.m. to noon ET
November 6 Daylight Savings Time ends
November 8 ELECTION DAY
November 8 Federal Resumé Workshop USO MVP 1700 CET
November 9 VMF Caucus Meeting 0700 EST WebEx link
November 9 World Freedom Day
November 9 Milspouse Resumé Workshop USO MVP Zoom 1700 CET
November 10 US Marine Corps 246th Birthday
November 11 Veterans Day Commemoration, Luxembourg American Cemetery, 11:00am CET
November 11 Veterans Day Annual remembrance National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C. in person or online at 10:30am Eastern LIVE STREAM YouTube.Com/c/TheDoughboyFoundation Bells of Peace is observed at the 11th hour (local time) of the 11th day of the 11th month. Bells of Peace App: https://bellsofpeace.org/index.php/no-bell-no-problem
November 13 - National Warrior Call Day
November 15 SkillBridge Info Session USO MVP Zoom 1700 CET
Traveling in the U.S. in November?
Veterans Day 2022 free meals, discounts and offers
Veterans Day 2022 Parades, Events and More
Thank you for your service! The National Park Service and Operation Live Well thank military personnel and their families for their service and invite them to enjoy their national parks.
Check the VMF website: https://www.democratsabroad.org/ Join the VMF caucus! https://www.democratsabroad.org/vmf
IRS Webinar 2022
IRS Webinar–December 1, Thursday, 7:00pm to 9:00pm CET (1:00pm to 3:00pm EST)
Are you an American citizen with questions about your U.S. taxes?
The DA Germany Veterans and Military Families Caucus invites you to attend a free webinar,
organized by the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, in which Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
representatives will share tax information relevant to Americans living overseas and answer your questions.
Register here. https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1148/46979
National Veterans And Military Families Month, 2022
This month, our Nation honors the strength and sacrifices of the families, caregivers, and survivors of our veterans and our current service members. They may not wear uniforms, but their service is essential to our national security and the character of our Nation. We owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay.
Constant tours, deployments, and rotations are difficult for our military families. Jill and I have personally experienced the anxious pride that parents feel seeing their child in uniform. We have marveled at the devotion of military families and their resilience to uproot their lives every few years and move to new communities. We honor the stalwart courage and resolve of veteran families caring for their loved ones when their service in uniform concludes. We grieve alongside families of the fallen who have lost a piece of their soul. That is why I take so seriously the sacred obligation to prepare and equip our service members when we send them into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they return home.
Since coming to office, I have signed into law important expansions of services and benefits to support our veterans and their families, improved VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances through the PACT Act, and made historic reforms to the military justice system that will enhance safety and protections for service members and their families impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence. The First Lady’s Joining Forces initiative is helping military spouses find jobs, connecting military children with better education, and helping to ensure that military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors have what they need to thrive. My Administration has also released a comprehensive public health strategy to reduce military and veteran suicides, which will guide our efforts to stand with families and protect the lives of our Nation’s heroes.
To be a veteran or a service member is to have endured and survived challenges most Americans will never know. To be the family of one of those proud patriots is to sacrifice more for our country than most Americans will ever give. During National Veterans and Military Families Month, we pay homage to the unrelenting bravery and dedication of all who wear the uniform and to the unwavering love and support of all who serve alongside them. Families who put their lives on hold so our military can hold the line represent the best of America, and we will always remember what they do for our Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2022 as National Veterans and Military Families Month. I call upon the people of the United States to honor veterans and military families with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
Ring the Bells 11/11/22
Check our website: https://www.democratsabroad.org/. Join the VMF caucus! https://www.democratsabroad.org/vmf
October 2022 Events
OCTOBER is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
President Biden Delivers Remarks on Cancer Moonshot to End Cancer
60th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis
October 1-8 Absentee Voting Week
October 2 End of Blue Star Welcome Week
October 3-7 National Voter Education Week
October 8 VMF Meeting 4:00pm EDT, Password dems WebEx Link
October 10 Columbus Day
October 13 U.S. Navy Birthday
October 21 National Pets for Veterans Day
October 26 Day of The Deployed
October 27 Navy Day
October 30 Ms. Veteran America Pageant —The Woman Beyond The Uniform
GLOBAL VMF CAUCUS MEETINGS
The VMF Caucus meets once a month.
All Democrats Abroad members are welcome!
WebEx link for October 8 at 4:00pm EDT, Password dems. WebEx
Check out veterans benefits and events in the October VMF Global Caucus Newsletter
Please join the VMF caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!
Will you join us for Veterans Day at the Luxembourg American Cemetery?
Are you interested in a PACT Act Info Session/Webinar?
Contact: [email protected]
November Elections
November 8: General Election in all states
If you have never voted while overseas before, it is not too late!
November 8: Special General Election-California U.S. Senate
November 8: Special General Election-Oklahoma U.S. Senate
Have you requested your absentee ballot at Vote From Abroad?
Register and request your ballot by your state’s deadline.
Check your State Voting Rules.
Voting problem or question? Contact: [email protected]
ABSENTEE BALLOTS have arrived! Fill yours out and send it right back!
Haven’t received your ballot?
Back Up Ballot:
BB-1. What is the Backup Ballot and how do I use it?
BB-2. I haven't received my blank ballot yet. Should I use a Backup Ballot (FWAB)?
Your Vote Counts
Many U.S. elections within the past ten years have been decided by a margin of victory of less than 0.1%. All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the state’s absentee ballot receipt deadline.
September 2022 Events
September is
National Suicide Prevention Month
and National Service Dog Month
September 2 – V-J Day (Victory over Japan) commemorates the Allied victory over Japan in World War II. Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese formally surrendered.
September 3 – 2022 National Book Festival Library of Congress livestream.
September 5–Labor Day Thank the labor unions, workers and labor leaders for ensuring a 40-hour workweek, sick leave, and vacation time.
September 10 – VMF meeting September 10, 2022, 07:00 EDTWebex Login
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
September 11– Patriot Day—National Day of Service and Remembrance to honor those killed on September 11, 2001.
September 12– Online -11:15am to 11:45am EDT National Archives Museum
The Constitution and Our Community (Grades 3–5)
September 12–Online 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. EDT The Constitution Rules!(Grades K–2)
September 13–Online 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. EDT National Archives Museum
No Conscription Without Representation: Voting Rights and the Constitution(Grades 9–12)
September 16–Online 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. EDT National Archives Museum
Voting Rights, the Constitution & Representative Government (Grades 6–8)
September 16–National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 17-23—Constitution Week
On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution. This document that established our national government and fundamental laws, was intended to protect and guarantee certain basic rights to our citizens.
“I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.”
— Benjamin Franklin, 1787
September 17–Constitution Day/Citizenship Day
September 18–Air Force (USAF) birthday-The Air Force turns 75!
September 18–Air National Guard Birthday
September 20–National Voter Registration Day Register to vote today at VoteFromAbroad.
September 25–Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day is the last Sunday in September.
September 29– Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Day The VFW, founded in 1899, is an NPO whose mission is “To serve our veterans, the military and our communities.”