May 2024 |
Newsletter |
VOL. 4, NO. 5 |
To view in PDF, click here
“As a nation, I’ve said many times, we have many obligations, but we have only one truly sacred obligation: to prepare those we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they return home. It’s not an obligation based on party or politics but on a promise that unites us all.
And together, over the last three years, we’ve worked to make good on that promise, passing more than 30 bipartisan laws to support our veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors.
That includes the PACT Act, one of the most significant laws ever to help millions of veterans who were exposed to toxins and burn pits during their military service. Pits the size of football fields that incinerated with the wastes of war: tires, chemicals, jet fuel, and so much more.
Too many of our nation’s warriors have served only to return home to suffer from permanent effects of this poisonous smoke. Too many have died.
In the 15 months since I — we wrote and signed the PACT Act, a half a million veterans and their surviving family members have already started receiving benefits. But far, far too many are still are not getting what they need, the care they deserve.
That’s why I’m proud to announce that any toxin-exposed veteran who served during any conflict outlined in the PACT Act will be able to roll — be able to enroll in VA healthcare starting March (2024)”. –President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Editor’s Message
Greetings! We’re very passionate about getting American citizens abroad registered to vote! It's crucial work to ensure that everyone's voice is heard in the democratic process. Clear info and assistance are key, especially for those unfamiliar with the procedure. If there aren't any U.S. bases in your country, contact the VAO (Voting Affairs Officer) at your local Consulate or Embassy. Offer to help their U.S. employees with registration, as they might forget due to their busy schedules. Let the VAO know you're trained to register U.S. citizens and understand FVAP is used for registrations on U.S. government property. Check with American schools and firms too, as their U.S. citizens may need help annually. Note: If you haven't completed the trainings yet, please visit these links - VOTER ASSISTANCE TRAININGS and FVAP TRAINING. Your help is critical!
Remember, voter registration is non-partisan. We help all U.S. citizens register and request their absentee ballots. Keep track of registrations (just numbers, not names) and share the data with us ([email protected]) after each session.
Offer paper forms (Federal Postcard Applications) for accessibility. You can request a free supply from FVAP at [email protected].
Sharing voting process info can demystify it for hesitant folks. Your help in ensuring that all Americans abroad can vote is priceless!
Thanks for safeguarding democracy!
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!
GOTV Opportunities: June 28-July 4 Armed Forces Voters Week/Overseas Citizens Voters Week. August 1-8 Military Spouse Voters Week- Encourage all absentee spouse voters to send in the FVAP. October 1-8 –Absentee Voters Week–Encourage people to request their absentee ballots!
GET OUT THE VOTE!
The VMF caucus mission is to reach out to veterans, active duty and reserve military members, and DoD civilians, as well as their families living abroad, to encourage them to register to vote by facilitating get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts while also developing sensible and sensitive strategies for encouraging active service members at U.S. overseas military bases to vote and to engage them in advocacy for our policy positions and to provide a forum for DA members to understand better the issues and concerns affecting our military forces, veterans, and their families outside of the United States.
Want to be part of our VMF Voter Registration Team? We're on a mission to boost military voter registration and turnout. With your support, we can make a real difference! Interested? Contact us at [email protected] Let's do this together!
PHONEBANKING TRAINING ONE-TO ONE VOTER HELP
Some highlights of military voting in 2020, nearly 35 years after UOCAVA passed:
U.S. citizens living abroad consistently vote at much lower rates in U.S. elections. An estimated 3.4% of eligible overseas voters returned a ballot during the 2022 General Election, while an estimated 62.5 % of domestic voters returned a ballot in 2022.
The BIDEN-HARRIS RECORD
Results for the American People
When President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, our country faced unprecedented crises - a raging pandemic, economic crisis, climate crisis, and racial injustice. The President and Vice President ran for office on the promise to move quickly to tackle these crises head-on and deliver results for working families. That’s what the Biden-Harris Administration has done.
- Lowering Costs of Families’ Everyday Expenses
- More People Are Working Than At Any Point in American History
- Making More in America
- Rescued the Economy and Changed the Course of the Pandemic
- Rebuilding our Infrastructure
- Historic Expansion of Benefits and Services for Toxic Exposed Veterans
- The First Meaningful Gun Violence Reduction Legislation in 30 Years
- Protected Marriage for LGBTQI+ and Interracial Couples
- Historic Confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Federal Judges of Diverse Backgrounds
- Rallied the World to Support Ukraine in Response to Putin’s Aggression
- Strengthened Alliances and Partnerships to Deliver for the American People
- Successful Counterterrorism Missions Against the Leaders of Al Qaeda and ISIS
- Executive Orders Protecting Reproductive Rights
- Historic Student Debt Relief for Middle- and Working-Class Families
- Ending our Failed Approach to Marijuana
- Advancing Equity and Racial Justice, Including Historic Criminal Justice Reform
- Delivering on the Most Aggressive Climate and Environmental Justice Agenda in American History
- More People with Health Insurance Than Ever Before
ADVOCACY
Change Your VA Direct Deposit Information If you receive disability compensation, pension, or education benefits from VA, update your direct deposit information in your VA.gov profile. You’ll need your bank’s routing number and account number to update.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Deliver Support and Cheer…in South Korea…USO Tour
Military Spouse Entrepreneur Guide 2024 Stars and Stripes
Protecting Veterans From Fraud | Veterans Affairs Fraud Prevention Kit
Staying safe when considering employment with a foreign organization
21ST TSC LEGAL INFORMER SPRING 2024 VA Welcome Kit 2024
VA Caregiver Support Program Annual Report 2023
2024 Veteran: New Benefits, Opportunities, and Programs
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Cost for new US military hospital near Ramstein surges to $1.6 billion
Supreme Court rules many veterans can use both GI bills for school
“The bottom line is this: Veterans who separately accrue benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to both benefits...If the statute were ambiguous, the pro-veteran canon would favor Rudisill, but the statute is clear, so we resolve this case based on statutory text alone.”--Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Florida abortion rights campaign for Amendment 4 kicks off
More than 400K Veterans enrolled in VA health care over past 365 days, 30% increase..
This historic enrollment was driven by the bipartisan PACT Act, which President Biden signed into law as a part of his Unity Agenda for the nation.
Navy policy change…recruits to call home on their cellphones during basic training
Army Eyes Dramatic Cuts to Key Education Benefits for Soldiers
250,000 veterans agree to $6B settlement with earplug company
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MAY CALENDAR & EVENTS
National Military Appreciation Month, Month of the Military Caregiver
“Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard.” –President John F. Kennedy
Six national observances highlighting the contributions of those who have served
Discover the National Military Appreciation Month military discounts
May 1 – Silver Star Service Banner Day
May 1 – Loyalty Day “Today, we salute the Americans whose hard work and sacrifice have strengthened our Nation in common cause…” President Joseph R. Biden
May 2– National Day of Prayer
May 2-4 – World Press Freedom Day Conference:
A press for the planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis
May 3 – World Press Freedom Day
Who Is Evan Gershkovich?
May 3 - Mindfulness Meditation 11:00 am to 12 noon ET
May 4 – VFW National Day of Service
May 5-11 – National Correctional Officers Week
May 5-11 – Public Service Recognition Week
May 08 – VE Day
May 10 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 13 – Children of Fallen Patriots Day
May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 18 – International Museum Day - “Museums for Education and Research”
May 18 – Armed Forces Day-Armed Forces Week 2024 coincides with this celebration.
May 22 – Maritime Day
May 27 – Memorial Day
“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” –Franklin Delano Roosevelt
May 29-June 2 – 80th Anniversary of OG PAT OSS Tarn Mission
Upcoming DA Activities
WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?
Congress Presents Ghost Army a Congressional Gold Medal
The Ghost Army's tactics were meant to be invisible, but today their constructions will no longer remain unseen in the shadows. Their weapons were unconventional, but their patriotism was unquestionable." –Ed Markey, Senator from Massachusetts
S. 815: A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, known as the “Hello Girls”. Are your Senators cosponsors?
VA letters to veterans with disability claims are ‘confusing puzzles’ only lawyers can understand, lawmaker contends
Let your Senators and Representatives know that you support the ERA.
VETERANS’ ISSUES
Health:
Military Exposures & Your Health - 2024 - Issue 12 As a part of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, VA is developing an online information center where you can find toxic exposure research publications that were funded or produced by the Federal Government.
VA PACT ACT PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD
More women are receiving disability benefits from VA than ever before
iRest for the Military - For active duty service members, veterans, military family members and professionals working with the military–iRest can help you address the unique challenges you face-sleep issues, PTSD, adjustment back to civilian life.
VA announces 2024 Equity Action Plan, new actions to ensure that all Veterans receive the health care and benefits they earned.
Going Overseas? TRICARE For Life Goes With You
Vietnam Veterans Unique Health Concerns
VA updates Disability Rating Schedule for digestive system
Education:
Education Guide-Stars and Stripes-March 28, 2024
Foreign Programs | Veterans Affairs
Veteran Recognition:
New Italian memorial recognizes deeds of US Army division in WWII battle
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Military Health
StoryCorps: Leader Of The WWII Ghost Army Reflects On Fooling The Germans
Excerpts from Remarks at the Ceremony | The Ghost Army Legacy Project
Army Ranger receives Silver Star for aiding fellow troops…
Click here for our Spotlight Voting rights laws and constitutional amendments
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
GLOBAL VMF CAUCUS MEETINGS
All Democrats Abroad members are welcome to attend
the Global VMF Caucus Steering Committee Meetings.
SUGGESTION BOX
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Want to help fellow Americans abroad get their absentee ballots for the 2024 vote? Got any cool event ideas for special programs? Let's make it happen! Share your thoughts! |
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Support the U.S. military–join our caucus!
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Editor-in-Chief: Terese Sarno (Germany) |
Associate Editor: Kee Adams Evans (Guatemala) |
“To this day, wherever the forces of darkness have sought to extinguish the light of liberty, American troops are there. And right by their side are their families. As the English poet John Milton wrote, ‘They also serve who only stand and wait.’ Our veterans are the steel spine of this nation. And their families, like so many of you, are the courageous heart.” -President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
