★Next VMF Meeting: October 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET on WebEx.★

Your VMF Caucus

Statement: Democrats Abroad Global VMF Caucus Statement on Republicans’ “Project 2025” Proposal

Did you miss the star-studded “Americans Abroad for Harris-Walz” call from a few weeks ago? VMF was pleased to be part of the conversation (starting around the 3-hour, 16-minute mark). Catch the recording here.

Statement: Democrats Abroad Global VMF Caucus Reflections on September 11 Memorial

Are you on Instagram? Give us a follow! The VMF Caucus recently resurrected its Instagram account and we’re happy to be back in the IG game, in addition to us being on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn (see bottom of newsletter).

The VMF Caucus Steering Committee (leadership team) formally met online on September 14 and discussed several items of business.

⬇Volunteer Opportunities⬇

If you would like to volunteer to fill any of the many roles shown below, please reach out to: [email protected] or any member of our leadership team.

Recent News Involving Fellow Democrats

Did you miss the presidential debate from September 10? Spoiler alert: Our nominee, Kamala Harris, absolutely knocked it out of the ballpark. Catch all of it in full replay here.

Press Release: Ranking Member Takano calls out committee Republicans' voter suppression efforts

Press Release: Ranking Member Takano Applauds President for Signing Veterans' Benefits Funding, Urges Swift Action on Healthcare Funding

Press Release: As States Begin Mailing Absentee Ballots, DNC and Democrats Abroad Urge Americans Living Overseas To Make Their Voices Heard

Audio Interview: Democratic voters overseas could help clinch the election in swing states

Artículo: Harris y Trump participarán en foros presidenciales con votantes hispanos en Univision Noticias

Press Release: Michigan Dems’ Veterans Caucus Chair on Donald Trump’s Visit to Detroit

AZ Dems Press Release: Veterans Say Kari Lake “Will Do Or Say Anything For Power,” “Willing to Undermine Democratic Values”

AZ Dems Press Release: Phoenix Veterans Call Out Kari Lake For Putting Herself, Foreign Dictators Before American Democracy, Arizonans

MN Dems Press Release: DFL Veterans and Military Families Caucus Endorses Kamala Harris for President

Press Release: Statement from DNC Chair Jaime Harrison on the Presidential Debate

Press Release: House Republicans Officially Break (Their Own) Record For Most Closed Congress in History

Press Release: DSCC Announces New Multi-Million Dollar Investment in Direct Voter Contact Programs

DNC Website: Who are the current VMF leaders within the whole Democratic Party?

Veterans for Harris-Walz Talking Points!

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VMF Volunteer of the Month

“Being an American Abroad and knowing what's at stake at every election, I have become very active in Democrats Abroad, including the VMF Caucus. It’s important to me to phone bank and conduct outreach to help U.S. citizens abroad request and send in their ballots on time. I do this with a smile on my face because I know that it makes people so happy to have someone reach out and help them.” – Susan Fitoussi

The VMF Caucus is pleased to recognize Susan Fitoussi as our Volunteer of the Month. A California voter and resident of Marseille, France, Susan is a longtime leader within VMF and has spent countless hours phone-banking voters in the lead up to this historic election. We appreciate your commitment to American democracy and salute you for your efforts, Susan!

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Get Out The Vote (GOTV)!

VMF members are all-in on getting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz into the White House. Check out these brief videos here, here, and here!

According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) which hosted a 9/23/2024 town hall, for those UOCAVA voters needing to mail their ballot to their local election office, the Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) – on average – provides a faster return time to the U.S. compared to foreign mail or diplomatic courier service. If you have access to use the military mail system, please do not hesitate to take advantage of this reliable and relatively fast method of returning your ballot. Alternatively, you can return your ballot using a private courier such as Fedex or DHL, for instance. And remember that you can also use the (U.S.) postage-paid envelope provided by your local election office or via FVAP.gov when mailing through MPSA or dropping off at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Are you in the Frankfurt area of Germany, and have questions about voting from abroad and using the services of the U.S. Consulate-Frankfurt, or performing nonpartisan voting assistance at any of the surrounding U.S. military installations? Adriana Ardonlino is your go-to resource as the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) Voting Ambassador who assists U.S. citizens specific to that area. She welcomes all questions at [email protected].

Are you a veteran in the Metro Manila area of the Philippines? Please note you have up until the end of the first week of October to use the ballot drop box at the entrance of the VA in Manila, at which point the ballots will be collected and included in the diplomatic mail system.

Are you a U.S. citizen living near Stavanger Air Base in Norway? Please note that you do not need on-base authorization to mail your ballot back through the military postal system. We are in touch with the Postmaster TSgt. (Technical Sergeant) there who has indicated he is available to meet U.S. voters at the gate to collect your official ballot and mail it for you. Simply contact us and we can provide his contact information.

Q: I don’t have a credit card and/or I would like to donate to the cause by sending a personal check. How can I make a donation through postal mail?

A: There are paper-based options available. To donate to Democrats Abroad – which also helps our caucus with getting out the vote efforts, click here to download a form that can be printed and mailed. To donate to the Harris-Walz campaign, click here to download their mail-in form. But please remember to make a contribution a.s.a.p. as the General Election is only a month away!

Have you seen recent digital or print VoteFromAbroad.org ads in Stars and Stripes – the #1 publication geared towards the U.S. Armed Forces audience? Keep an eye out for these and make sure to share the ads and QR codes with any U.S. citizen living abroad, especially if they’re military-connected.

Need a new phone wallpaper, coloring-in sheets for the kids, or a digital Harris-Walz yard sign? Check out the campaign’s free downloads section!

Do you need 1-on-1 assistance with requesting your ballot? Whether you're military-connected or an overseas civilian, we've got you covered. Request your session here.

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Upcoming Events of VMF Interest

Oct. 1: Vice Presidential debate between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance – streaming on several platforms

Oct. 3: Online event: Disabled veterans, family members, and caregivers - join PVA in a Zoom session to understand accommodations in the workplace

Oct. 7: Online event: Meet VIReC: The Researcher's Guide to VA Data

Oct. 10: Presidential town hall with Kamala Harris in Las Vegas, with undecided Hispanic voters – Univision and its streaming service ViX will air the town hall with a Spanish translation, with the full English-language version available on the Noticias Univision YouTube channel.

Oct. 10: Online event: Are you recently diagnosed or service-connected for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? The VA recommends you join this call: “New to MS: Navigating Your Journey”

Oct. 12: Online event: Dems Abroad Global VMF Caucus meeting, 2:00 p.m. ET

Oct. 24: In-person event at Camp Courtney (Okinawa, Japan): Enjoy an evening filled with laughter, friendly competition, and festive spirit at a “spooktacular” night of Halloween fun

Oct. 24: Online event: Survey of reasons Veterans don’t use Complementary and Integrative Health Services

Oct. 29: Online VA event: Updates on the state of LGBTQ+ Veteran data and research

Nov. 7: In-person event at Camp Humphreys (S. Korea): Baby Expo 2024 - Open to all DOD ID holders who are new or expectant parents of children 12 months and younger

Nov. 9: Dems Abroad Global VMF Caucus meeting, 7:00 a.m. ET

Nov. 12: Dems Abroad Germany VMF Caucus virtual event: The Ghost Army with Rick Beyer - "Rick Beyer, who made the PBS documentary, ‘The Ghost Army’ and co-authored the book, ‘The Ghost Army of World War II’ will recount how the Ghost Army pulled off their mind-blowing deceptions, and the ways in which the story continues to resonate 80 years later." Please RSVP

Dec. 3: Online VA event: How many chiropractic visits does it take to help Veterans with chronic low back pain? Part 1: Characteristics of VERDICT

Dec. 14: Dems Abroad VMF Caucus meeting, 2:00 p.m. ET

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What Have Americans Been Voicing Lately?

***Click here to view the various opinions from all over the country.

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Other Recent News of VMF Interest

Are you a veteran receiving VBA or VHA services in Manila (Philippines)? Please note that both VA’s Regional Office and VA’s Outpatient Clinic will be closed during the following U.S. and Philippine holidays: 

Are you a veteran enrolled in VA’s FMP and living in Panama? Please note VA has suspended several medical providers (likely temporarily) due to allegations of fraud. If your medical provider is on the list of those who are currently suspended, please seek health care from alternative medical providers within Panama.

***Click here to view several other recent news articles and additional items which pertain to the VMF community.

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Make sure to check out the full-length documentary called "Against All Enemies" – now available to watch for free on YouTube. It's an important discussion about the right-wing extremist movement in America and why our democracy depends on halting all their violent, racist and fascist efforts. Watch here.

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Are you following us on social media?

Be sure to check out VMF’s Virtual Museum, our podcast and movie recommendations, and more!

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Questions/Comments/Suggestions?

For matters concerning the VMF newsletter: [email protected]

For reaching the VMF Caucus chair: [email protected]

For all other matters: [email protected]

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Are you following us on social media?

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VMF X (formerly Twitter)

VMF Facebook

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• CONUS: Call 988 and Press 1 or go to https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ 
• In Europe: +1 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
• In the Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
• In Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
• Chat: Text with a crisis line responder. Send a text to 838255 or through https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat

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