June 2024 |
Newsletter |
VOL. 4, NO. 6 |
To view in PDF, click here
(photo courtesy of Terese Sarno)
“We’re the only nation in the world – only nation in the world that’s built on an idea. Every other nation is based on things like geography, ethnicity, religion. But we’re the only nation built on the idea that we are all – all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. We haven’t always lived up to it, but because of our veterans, because of you, we’ve never walked away from it.
For throughout the annals of history, whenever and wherever the force of darkness has sought to extinguish the light of liberty, American veterans have been holding the lantern as high as they can for us all.
They were there when a determined band of patriots sparked a revolution, delivering a nation where everyone — everyone is endowed with certain unalienable rights.
They were there when, less than a century later, they gave our nation a new birth of freedom.
They were there when the forces of fascism brought the fight to the trenches of Europe and the bloody beaches of Normandy.
They were there when called upon to face the oppression in the frozen rice paddies of Korea and the sweltering jungles of Vietnam.
And they were there when darkness came to our shores, signing up for tour after tour after tour to keep our democracy safe and secure these last two decades.” –President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Editor’s Message
Greetings! As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 1944, take time to reflect on how our military has protected democracy worldwide as we Honor the Past-Securing the Future.
Let us Commemorate and Take Action! Today, Democracy faces threats both globally and at home. We need YOU to Get Out The Vote to protect our American freedoms and way of life! We need your help to increase military voter registration and turnout. Stand up for democracy—make your voice heard! Have you requested your absentee ballot yet? Head over to www.votefromabroad.org right now and get it done!
With your support, we can make a real difference! Let's do this together! Interested? Contact us at[email protected] Let's Boost Military Voter Registration!
And do not forget to keep contacting your Senators and Representatives to publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ! Let them know that you support the ERA and that you want them to take immediate action!
We send our condolences to the family of Tilly Gaillard, who departed this world on May 10, 2024. Tilly, well known for her humanitarian endeavors, was a long-time member of our caucus and an ardent GOTV activist, as well as an original staff member of the Global VMF Caucus Newsletter.
Terese Sarno
Editor-in-Chief
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Ready to join our caucus? Be part of the conversation and make your voice heard.
Together, we can shape the future. Let's do this!
GET OUT THE VOTE!
How U.S. presidential elections work - ShareAmerica
GOTV Opportunities:
June 28-July 4 Armed Forces Voters Week/Overseas Citizens Voters Week
August 1-8 Military Spouse Voters Week
October 1-8 –Absentee Voters Week
Spread the word and get your friends on board too!
How To Find Trustworthy Election Sources On Social Media
The BIDEN-HARRIS RECORD
Results for the American People
Here are some highlights of military voting in 2020, nearly 35 years after UOCAVA passed:
Among overseas citizens who did not return their voted ballot, some did not want to vote while others encountered obstacles in completing the process. Across all age groups, those who did not vote reported that difficulties completing the process prevented them from returning their absentee ballot. This was especially true for the youngest voters, who were up to 19 times more likely to have trouble completing the process than they were to report not wanting to vote.
PHONEBANKING TRAINING ONE-TO ONE VOTER HELP
ADVOCACY
IMPROVING CARE AND BENEFITS FOR WOMEN VETERANS
“We’ve taken many steps in recent years to strengthen women veterans’ health care and benefits—but our work is far from over…Women veterans are the fastest growing group in the veteran community, and we need to double down on our efforts to ensure they are receiving the support they need at VA after their service. Today’s roundtable will help us continue to hone in on what our top priorities should be when it comes to addressing the needs of women veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma.”
– Jon Tester, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman
Stars and Stripes - Transition Guide - May 2024
10 tips to defend your online data
How To Run For Office: Tips For A Winning Campaign : Life Kit : NPR
New rule qualifying veterans with ‘bad paper’ for VA benefits raises concerns …
Update and Clarify Regulatory Bars to Benefits Based on Character of Discharge
A Rule by the Veterans Affairs Department takes effect June 25, 2024
Get Help From A VA Accredited Representative Or VSO
Treasury Hunt® — TreasuryDirect How do I use Treasury Hunt?
You put in just a few pieces of information: Social Security Number/ Employee Identification Number or First, Middle and Last Name and state.
Air Force rebrands Key Spouse program to meet needs of modern families
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Caring for yourself is the best thing you can do for those that depend on you. The support line offers monthly education group sessions that can help. These calls provide self-care tips on a range of topics and are available to all caregivers. |
June: Caregiving for Mental Health (Balance in the Eye of the Storm: Self-Care when Caregiving for a Loved One with Mental Health Concerns)
Tues 6/04/24 - 10 a.m. Eastern
Wed 6/12/24 - 7 p.m. Eastern
Wed 6/26/24 - 3 p.m. Eastern
*Tues 6/25/24 - 1 p.m. Eastern *Presented in Spanish
- At the scheduled time of the call, please dial: +1 347-566-4838
When prompted, enter the following Conference ID: 521 546 087#
Click here at the time of the presentation to join via MS Teams on your computer, mobile app or room device.
- Past podcasts can be accessed on the Archived Educational Calls/Podcasts 2022-2023 page
Caregiver Support Line (CSL) - Handouts & Self-Care Topics
Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for those that depend on you!
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Voices of D-Day: Veterans describe the heroism and horror.
Stars and Stripes is sharing the Voices of D-Day Interviews by the World War II Foundation.
WWII veteran headed to Normandy, 80 years after D-Day
D-Day squadron of World War II planes re-creates ‘Blue Spruce’ route to Europe
Senators… fear private…health care is eroding VA medical services
Airmen with families eligible for more housing cash while away for schools, training
Commercial access to Army email and other apps to tighten in June
Biden presents Medal of Freedom to…civil rights leaders, celebrities and politicians
Congress voted against funding a cure for cancer just to block a win for Biden
The Moonshot program was the largest, organized effort by the U.S. government to find cancer cures. Congress voted it down.
Camp Humphreys is latest overseas base to establish a food pantry for troops
Veterans embark on memorable trip to National Mall on Freedom Honor Flight
J-Lo and ‘Atlas’ co-stars inspire soldiers with messages in USO video call
History of the American Flag
NASA Photo: The Apollo 11 mission
Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag on the surface of the Moon
Prayer on D-Day
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
32nd President of the United States: 1933 ‐ 1945
CALENDAR & EVENTS
JUNE is PTSD Awareness Month!
Step Up for PTSD Awareness Virtual Walk-Register today!
Complete 30 minutes of exercise at any time during the month of June in recognition of PTSD Awareness Month.
D-Day Commemorative Events list courtesy of Stars and Stripes
June 1 – 10:00 -14:00 USO KMC Germany Pride Picnic/Summerfest at Pulaski Park (Kaiserslautern/Vogelweh)--Voter Registration Outreach– Get Registered to Vote! Stop by to get help requesting your absentee ballot while you enjoy some great food courtesy of the USO Mobile Canteen! Come together for a fun-filled day to celebrate, connect, and support our community. Let's raise awareness about the ongoing civil rights struggle while enjoying good vibes and great company. Don’t miss out on this chance to make a difference and show your support. See you there! (Base access necessary)
June 1-2 – D-Day squadron aerial parade Duxford, England
June 2-10 – D-Day squadron in Cherbourg, France
June 2 –Democrats Abroad Annual General Meeting Costa Rica
June 2 –Congress enacts the Indian Citizenship Act | June 2, 1924 100th Anniversary
June 3-9 – D-Day squadron in Normandy air shows
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 6 – D-Day 80th Anniversary
June 7/8 – World Oceans Day
(Official UN designation for World Oceans Day is still 8 June. The 2024 event will be celebrated 7 June.)
June 12 – Women Veterans Day
June 14 – Army Birthday
June 14 – U.S. Flag Day 
June 11 to 17 – National Flag Week
June 15-16 – D-Day squadron aircraft in Germany for 75th anniversary of Berlin airlift
June 16 – D-Day squadron at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield
All-day event at Clay Kaserne Airfield to commemorate the Berlin Airlift hosted by U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden and the German state of Hesse
June 16 – Virtual Retiree Appreciation Day Facebook Time TBA
Contact: [email protected]
June 17 – Bunker Hill Day
June 17 – Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor | June 17, 1885
June 19 – Juneteenth
June 22-23 –D-Day squadron travels to Venice, Italy.
June 23 – Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday 85th birthday
June 27 – PTSD Awareness Day
Upcoming DA Activities
WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?
Contact your Representatives and Senators to urge them to support these bills:
S. 740: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits...
H.R.4016. Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act
H.R.1767 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that educational assistance paid under Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs to an individual who pursued a program or course of education that was suspended or terminated for certain reasons shall not be charged against the entitlement of the individual, and for other purposes.
VETERANS’ ISSUES
Health:
Going Overseas? TRICARE For Life Goes With You
Do you have TRICARE for life? Living, moving, or planning to travel overseas? It’s important to know how your TFL coverage works outside of the U.S. and U.S. territories.
Know before you go: Manage your VA care while traveling
Education:
Free Udemy courses for military spouses | Stripes Europe
Veteran Recognition:
Medal of Honor Monday: Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
Pride: LGBTQIA+ Service Members in Military Health
Remains of World War II Soldier to be buried in Bushnell, Florida
WWII soldiers posthumously receive Purple Heart medals 79 years after plane crash
Click here for our Spotlight Investing in America
Click here for our Podcast & Social Media Recommendations
Click here for our Poetry Corner
Click here for our Film and Book Recommendations
Click here for our Educational Resources
Click here for our Brain-Zone Quiz
Click here for our Virtual Museum
SUGGESTION BOX
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Want to help overseas Americans request their absentee ballots? Vote in 2024? Do you have a suggestion for an event, a special program, or want to share an idea? Contact [email protected] |
Connect with us on
Be part of the conversation and make your voice heard. Join our caucus!
READ WHITE and BLUE
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Editor-in-Chief: Terese Sarno (Germany) |
Associate Editor: Kee Adams Evans (Guatemala) |
