APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER
“Military Children and Youth: Strength in Every Story”
“We, the people, have the power...This is our democracy. We elect our representatives. It is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people — not kings, not dictators.” –Debbie Paul, Indivisible Mass Coalition
Telling troops – or families – to brace for more death is not motivation –
it’s a failure of leadership– Stars & Stripes Opinion by Ken Falke
Hegseth ousts US Army chief of staff and two other generals amid Iran war
Greetings!
The Ramstein Military and Family Readiness Center is collecting donation items for Ordered Departure Personnel arriving in the KMC. Contributions can be accepted at M&FRC Bldg. 2120 on Ramstein (Mon-Fri 0730-1730) or the KMC Housing Office on Kapaun (Mon-Fri 0800-1500)
All Veterans, DoD civilian retirees and family members are invited to the Grand Opening of 86th Airlift Wing Retiree Affairs Office (RAO) on April 16 at 1:00 pm at Kapaun AS, Building 2787, 1st Floor (Rooms 109, 110/112, 113, and 114) Lt Col John F. Mutnansky, Deputy Commander of the 86th Mission Support Group, will preside over the ceremony and provide opening remarks. (Ample parking in front of the building)
Do you have contacts with the U.S.military or the DoD civilian community? The DAG-VMF Caucus needs your help to Get Out The Vote! Help U.S. citizens in Germany request their UOCAVA absentee ballots. Please join our DAG VMF Voter Outreach Team so we can spread out all over Germany. Contact us for more information at [email protected]. Get ready by taking the free Voter Assistance Training - Democrats Abroad. When you complete the training, let us know! You can also take the FVAP VAO training. Help us increase overseas voter participation!
On the election front, Shawn Harris, a retired Army Brigadier General, needs our support in the GA 14th runoff election to be held on April 7.
Do you have a VA Claim? Use the Claim Assist Portal: A new, easier way to respond to VA claim requests
Resist with Democrats Abroad! Phonebanking volunteers needed!
Have YOU requested your absentee ballot? Please do it now and get a few friends to do the same! Let us know when you complete your request. Waiting to hear from you! [email protected] You Can Vote From Anywhere
How many DA members will vote in the 2026 elections? 100% turnout? Let’s do it!
In Unity,
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!
Pentagon plan expands oversight of Stars and Stripes, limits content
The Pentagon in January withdrew a federal regulation that underpinned the mandate set by Congress for Stars and Stripes to provide independent journalism to the military community under the principles of the First Amendment. The new memo confirmed that Stars and Stripes’ editorial operations are “independent of the military chain of command, military public affairs activities or other external influences,” but makes no mention of First Amendment freedoms.
Stars and Stripes content changes took effect March 27, 2026.
"Freedom of the Press" The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Supreme Court Shockingly Stands up to Trump on Press Freedom
Judge sides with NYT against policy limiting reporters’ Pentagon access
Federal judge strikes down Trump order eliminating NPR and PBS funds
Controversial first: Donald Trump's signature to appear on US dollar bills
With DeSantis signature, Trump airport renaming comes in for landing
NO TYRANTS 28 March 2026
Millions turn out for "No Kings" rallies held worldwide to protest against Trump
‘No Kings’ protest: What protesters said and why they showed up.
Veterans and family members of fallen service members were among those who showed up,
some carrying signs that read “Veterans Against Trump” and “This Is What Democracy Looks Like.”
Courtesy of Clay Jonz
“The power under the Constitution will always be with the people.”
–George Washington 1787
Democrats Abroad Strasbourg No Tyrants March
Robert De Niro Tears Apart Trump's Presidency In 'No Kings' Takedown
The actor, who joined protesters marching against the Trump administration in New York City, declared that the president "must be stopped now. No taking health care from our most vulnerable neighbors, no unaffordable groceries, no unaffordable energy, no unaffordable housing and no inflation at it’s highest level since COVID. No government masked thugs shooting down our neighbors in the streets.”
The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.
–John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th U.S. President
The Trump administration is falsely claiming Jimmy Carter was against mail-in voting
2026 ELECTIONS–ARE YOU READY?
Are you registered and ready to vote from abroad in 2026? Protect your vote by submitting your FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) every year—it registers you as an overseas (UOCAVA) voter, requests all eligible ballots, updates your information, and helps guard against voter roll purges. Voters living abroad have special options to send and receive their ballots. www.VotefromAbroad.org.
UPCOMING ELECTIONS!
2026 Election Calendar: Primary and General Election Dates
Always check the deadlines for Overseas Absentee Ballots (UOCAVA) because this is often different from regular stateside absentee ballots.
April 7–GA 14th runoff election
May 19–GA General Primary Election
Military and Overseas Voting | Georgia Secretary of State –You can get your ballots electronically or by regular mail. Request your ballot is sent to you electronically to avoid delays. Remember to include a valid email address on the application.
ARIZONA Primary Election has been moved to July 21 (was Aug 4) The deadline for overseas voters is Election Day (July 21).
TAKE ACTION UPDATE!
The SAVE Act
Keep contacting our Senators about the efforts to deprive overseas U.S. citizens of their right to vote. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121 The SAVE America Act is a voter deprivation act. There are already voting verification systems. This bill, if passed, will directly infringe upon overseas U.S. citizens’ right to vote because registration would have to be done in person every year-this would mean everyone would have to return to the U.S. to register!
Sonia Sotomayor Grills RNC Lawyer On Mail-In Ballots
“You believe that absentee voting by the military and overseas voters, the various federal laws under which states have proceeded with respect to those votes are illegal? Or they’re not saying what everybody has understood them to say—that states can accept absentee ballots after the election? Military and overseas voters”
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at +1 (202) 224-3121. White House adds plaques below Biden and Obama portraits, calling them ‘the worst President in American history’ and ‘divisive’
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at +1 (202) 224-3121. Statement on Senator Moreno’s Unconstitutional Citizenship Proposal The bill, S.3283 titled Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Martha McDevitt-Pugh, Chair of Democrats Abroad, strongly condemns Moreno's bill: “Dual citizenship is not a threat - it’s an asset that reflects the reality of an interconnected world where Americans live, work, serve, and advocate for U.S. interests on a global scale. Questioning loyalty because a citizen possesses another passport is not just wrong; it’s an attack on the millions of Americans whose lives span borders and who contribute every day to the strength of the United States...The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that this citizenship cannot be taken away by the government as a punishment or policy choice."
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO PASS H.R.14 THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT.
APRIL EVENTS
Military children show bravery, fearlessness, and resiliency by adapting
and meeting adversity head on in an ever-changing environment.
Military Saves Month 2026, Financial Literacy Month
April 3 - Online Registration deadline for 45th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Detroit July 9-14, 2026
April 5 – Gold Star Spouses Day
April 7 – GA 14th runoff, Mississippi (R), Wisconsin Supreme Court
April 9 – National Former POW Recognition Day
April 14 – Air Force Reserve Birthday
April 15 – Purple Up Day
April 15 – World Art Day
April 16 – New Jersey CD 11 (Special General)
April 16 – Grand Opening 86th Airlift Wing Retiree Affairs Office (RAO), 1:00 pm Kapaun AS, Building 2787, 1st Floor
April 17 – Wiesbaden Retiree & Survivor Forum 9:30 am-4:00 pm
Hainerberg Kaserne, Mississippi Strasse, Bldg. 7790
usarmy.wiesbaden.id-europe.mbx.retirement-services-office@army.mil
April 18 – Louisiana (S)
April 19-25 - National Volunteer Week
April 21 – Virginia State Special election
April 21 – 5th KMC Retiree Survivor Workshop at LRMC, 10:00-11:30
April 22 –‘A DAY WITH THE FBU’ Kapaun AB 86AW Offices Conference Room.
Bldg. 2787,10:30-14:00 by appointment
April 22 – Earth Day “Our Planet Our Power”
April 23 – Army Reserve Birthday
April 30 – Legal Estate Workshop, 1330-1500, Clock Tower Café Kleber Kaserne
April 30 – National Military Brats Day
Upcoming DA Activities
Upcoming Events:
May – Memorial Day Luxembourg American Cemetery
May 29-31 – Global Annual Meeting of Democrats Abroad in Kenya
May 30–IamExpat Fair Berlin 2026 – free registration, Estrel Congress Center, Sonnenallee 225, Berlin-12057
September 10 KMC Retiree Appreciation Day
June 28 - July 4 Overseas Citizens Voters Week
August 3-10 Military Spouse Voters Week
September 28-October 4 Absentee Voters Week
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Lawsuit challenging DODEA book bans, curriculum changes moves forward
Health Matters (Overseas) Newsletter | TRICARE
Learn how to get care at overseas military hospitals or clinics
Understanding the TRICARE claims process
Installation Voter Assistance Office Contact Information
Judge orders VA to restore collective bargaining
VA: Court order requires we reinstate union contract, not honor its terms
Military hospitals resume billing civilians
States Move to Shut Down ‘Claim Sharks’ Targeting Veterans’ Disability Benefits
Voter ID rules to change for millions
NCPC Tables White House Ballroom Vote as Federal Filings Detail Rebuild Case
Trump says military sought White House ballroom as 'shed' for complex
Golden Toilet Statue Appears In Washington, D.C.
Trump says it's 'not possible' for the U.S. to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and day care:
SUPPORT DA GERMANY’s GOTV EFFORTS!
Your monetary donations to Democrats Abroad Germany are used to organize and get out the vote among Americans in Germany. Request your absentee ballot for 2026.