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“A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.”      –Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States of America

Editor’s Message

"But there is something dangerous happening in America…There is an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs of our democracy: the MAGA Movement." – President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Time to Wake Up America before it is too late! Do not allow the extremists to gain a foothold and destroy American democracy. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country-some may remember this line from school when typing was a mandatory subject! And if you are not among those who remember this line from school, it is time to put in your repertoire of timeless phrases!  It is time for  ALL GOOD MEN TO WORK TOGETHER–shared government across the aisles like in the old days which aren't so old!  Government can only function if there is collaboration like in everyday relationships. Observing the state of the search for a Speaker of the House makes it obvious that we need to Get Out The Vote so that our government is not taken over by those who have not yet accepted the results of the last Presidential election! Sign up for the Voter Registration Assistance programs and get ready for the 2024 Election! 

Biden warns against threats to democracy and says Americans must speak out.
"We should all remember: democracies don't have to die at the end of a rifle. They can die when people are silent — when they fail to stand up or condemn threats to democracy. "  – President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Please join us on the 11th day of the 11th month, at the 11th hour to toll the Bells of Peace in remembrance of our Veterans who sacrificed their lives for our democracy.

Terese Sarno

Editor

Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!

President Biden made history by joining striking auto workers on picket line.

“You’ve heard me say it many times. Wall Street didn’t build the country. The middle class built the country, and unions built the middle class. And that’s a fact. So, let’s keep going. You deserve what you’ve earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than you’re getting paid now. Thank you very much.” - President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Biden Joins Autoworkers on Picket Line in Michigan

Remarks by President Biden at United Auto Workers Picket Line

ADVOCACY

U.S. Army Retired Soldier Handbook   U.S. Army Retirement Planning Guide

Retired Soldier Casualty Assistance Checklist (Updated Sep 2023)

Worldwide Veterans Affairs Office contact information- Email: [email protected] Telephone: + 1- 855-785-0001 or + 1-386-226-7363

Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)

VA's Primary Family Caregiver Direct Deposit Enrollment User Guide

VA OVERSEAS MANAGEMENT SERVICE COORDINATORS (OMSCs) – Europe and Asia
To connect with an OMSC, please use the formal VACO email address/es.

VA Accredited Representatives

Veteran Service Officers Assisting with Federal Benefits
for Veterans & Dependents Abroad

American Samoa - Paogofie, Fiaigoa - Office of Veterans Affairs,  American Samoa Government, PO Box 8586 Pago Pago, XX 96799

Australia - Polmanteer, Gary - American Legion, 16 Bahamas Ct. (Australia) Parrearra, FC 4575; [email protected]

Dominican Republic - Garcia Diez, Adalberto Bolivar- National Association for Black Veterans, Inc., Calle el Tanque, Residencial Sun Tower Apartment A4 Juan Dolio, XX 21004 809-383-5948 [email protected]

Europe - Chung, Robert - American Legion CMR 456 BOX 1809, APO AE, 09250       

Dorris, Robert  - VFW Unit 28810 Box 98R, APO AE, 09264                                    

Janey, Kevin - American Legion Postfach 1308 97863  Wertheim, Germany,  (+49)179-4407354 [email protected]

Litherland, Timothy - American Legion, USAG Ansbach MPD VSO Unit 28721 Box 6511 APO AE,  09177

Phillips, Francis - American Legion, Neuendettelsauer Str., 15 D-91560 Heilsbronn Germany, +49 1726879915; [email protected]

Pope, John Jr. - American Legion PSC 7 Box 328, APO AE, 09104

Williams, Jessie Lynn CMR 422 Box 507 APO AE,  09067

Sherman, Michael - American Legion, Unit 28721 Box 6511 APO, AE 09177 Germany; [email protected]

Singletary, Christopher—VFW, PSC 808 Box 1939 FPO  AE, 09618; Covering Europe and Africa; [email protected]

Japan - Kozlesky, Curtis - American Legion, American Legion Post 28, PSC 557 Box 123 FPO, AP 96379-0123; 080-3703-3988; [email protected]

Mexico - Dana, Jeffry - American Legion 1273 Calle Colombia #203, Puerto Vallarta, MX 48350

Thompson, Richard - National Association of County Veterans Service;   Manuel Lepe Macedo 2050 +1003 Puerto Vallarta, MX 48317

Netherlands - Traldi, Arthur - American Legion; International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; Churchillplein 1, Office M-238, Den Haag, FC; 610-428-7179   [email protected]

Singapore - Collison, James - National Association for Black Veterans, Inc; 3 Fraser Street DUO Tower, 17th Floor Singapore, XX 189352; 65-9723-8252 [email protected]

United Kingdom - De Bari, Matthew- National Association for Black Veterans, Inc; White & Case LLP 5 Old Broad Street London, UK, XX EC2N 1DW +44 7912980208 [email protected]

Florio, Marissa - National Association for Black Veterans, Inc; White & Case LLP; 5 Old Broad Street London UK, XX EC2N 1DW; +44-2075321421; [email protected]                                                                               

Yucatan - Boylan, Thomas - American Legion; 15 #153 e10y14 Fracc.; Monte Cristo Merida, Yucatan , MX 97133

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Pentagon to review ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ cases of veterans denied honorable discharges

Contractor who sold US Army shoddy filters ordered to pay over $500,000 avoids prison

Pentagon issues 101 recommendations for suicide prevention to be implemented…

Biden proposes a ban on 'junk fees' — from concert tickets to hotel rooms

Evan Gershkovich to Stay in Russian Prison, Court Rules

Drug Makers Agree to Negotiate With Medicare on Prices of 10 Medications 

‘We need to leave’: Health care has some DOD teachers looking to depart Japan

Unions at the 2024 Democratic convention promise no picket signs

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's postage stamp is now on sale–get them for your holiday cards!

NOVEMBER

National Veterans & Military Families Month

Warrior Care Month

National Family Caregivers Month

October 30 - November 3 – National Veterans Small Business Week

November 5 – Daylight Savings Time Ends 

November 7 – Election Day! Have you returned your absentee ballot? 

November 7 – VA Public Feedback listening session 1:30 p.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST 

November 10 - DA VMF Caucus Monthly Meeting, 14:00 EST Link   

November 10 – Marine Corps Day/Birthday

November 10 – Veterans Awareness March 0800-1500, Kaiserslautern (Germany) High School Track, sponsored by Kaiserslautern & Ramstein HS Air Force Junior ROTC

November 11 – Veterans Day History of  Armistice/Remembrance Day

November 14 – 12 noon CET via Zoom  “The Return of the Soldier” by Rebecca West Book Club emphasizes Veterans in November

November 28 – #GivingTuesday Tuesday after Thanksgiving 

Upcoming  DA Activities

Toll “Bells of Peace” on 11/11 at 11am local time, and honor all those who served and sacrificed in WWI.

Join the DA Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus in participating in the annual Bells of Peace remembrance of those who served in World War I on November 11th, 2023, at 11 am local promoted by the Doughboy Foundation.

10:45 ET, Livestream Bells of Peace At the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.      

Everyone can honor our Veterans on Veterans Day--you do not need to be in a major city or live near an American Cemetery. Hold your own local Bells of Peace ceremony.

For all those who plan to hold a Bells of Peace ceremony on November 11th, we have put together valuable resources and tools to help you,  including:

• A countdown timer to Nov. 11, 11am local;
• Bells you can toll from your mobile device or computer;
• A timer for a moment of silence and reflection;
• Taps you can sound from you mobile device or computer;
• FAQs, recommendations, event planning and execution;
• Hashtags #BellsOfPeace and #TollTheBells for Social participation;

The Bells of Peace WebAPP

Wherever you are at 11:00 am, you can honor our veterans by ringing a bell--organize a group or do it alone. Join us to commemorate the moment when the guns fell silent, and bells tolled on the Western Front...on the 11th day of the 11th month,  at the 11th hour in 1918, after four years of brutal combat.

Post about your Bells of Peace activities on Social Media

Please let everyone know what you are doing at 11am on November 11th to honor our veterans who have served and sacrificed. Use the hashtags #BellsOfPeace and #TollTheBells in your posts to help the Bells of Peace community know what you are doing -THANK YOU! #BellsOfPeace      #TollTheBells

Bells of Peace App

Let us know if you plan to participate! [email protected]

#DAVMFCaucus    Take photos of your event and share them with us!

Check our website         Check the VMF FaceBook page        Join the VMF caucus!

INVESTING IN AMERICA President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

“The American people expect us to work together on their behalf. It's not too late for the majority to choose a bipartisan path forward to reopen the House…

When we stood by our veterans and expanded their access to health care, they said no…" Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5)

Transcript of Clark's Floor Speech Nominating Jeffries for Speaker October 20, 2023

Supreme Court ducks, leaving Louisiana redistricting stuck in uncertainty

Supreme Court rejects Alabama defiance in redistricting case

New Report: How We Voted in 2022 | MIT Election Lab

‘Suffs’ Heads to Broadway With Hillary Clinton as a Producer

ONE-TO ONE VOTER HELP

MORE VOTER ASSISTANCE TRAININGS AVAILABLE

Regular training sessions 3 times a week through mid-Dec 2023 plus video versions:

• Tuesdays at 12pm ET (6pm Berlin / 1am Wed Tokyo)
• Thursdays at 8pm ET (2am Berlin / 9am Friday Tokyo)
• Sundays at 5am ET (11am Berlin / 6pm Tokyo)

WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?

“History will judge us by our commitment to a just society governed by law and the willingness to face an ugly truth and say ‘never again’.”
     –Dianne Feinstein
Hundreds Honor Dianne Feinstein as She Lies in State at SF City Hall

Video:Rep. Katharine Clark’s Speech Nominating Jeffries for Speaker, October 20, 2023

Senator urges military to focus on perception that service ‘puts lives on hold’

Senators question poor attendance in transition program for troops

S.112 A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes. 10/062023 signed by President Biden and became Public Law No: 118-18.

S.2795 A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other purposes. 10/062023 signed by President Biden and became Public Law No: 118-19.

S.2861: Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act New Cosponsor: Sen. Angus King ( I-ME) The bill has 3 cosponsors-2 Independents, 1 Republican.

Legal review refutes claim that DOD abortion rules need congressional approval

Federal long term care insurance premiums to increase by as much as 86%

H.R. 866--The FERS Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) and the Equal COLA Act

How lawmakers are looking to change the COLA for federal retirees

Guide to Federal Retiree COLAs: What Are They and How Are They Calculated? Contact your Members of Congress

How Congress averted a government shutdown — for now

Government could shut down November 17 – Urge your representatives and senators to get the budget set every year in advance and stop the threats of government shutdowns.  Contact your Members of Congress.

“As I’ve always been clear, democracy is not a partisan issue.
It’s an American issue.” – President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION-30 September 2023

Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader (D-NY) stated “Our bipartisan work in the Senate set the tone for the bill we’re about to pass. Our bipartisanship made this possible and showed the House that they had to act. We will keep the government open for 45 days with a clean CR at current funding levels, and we avoided all of the extreme, nasty and harmful cuts MAGA Republicans wanted.”

88 Senators voted for the Continuing Resolution, 9 Senators voted against it.   The 9 Republican Senators who voted against the bi-partisan Continuing Resolution:       Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH)

21 House Republicans who voted against the Continuing Resolution: Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Dan Bishop (NC), Lauren Boebert (CO), Ken Buck (CO), Tim Burchett (TN), Eric Burlison (MO), Michael Cloud (TX), Eli Crane (AZ), Matt Gaetz (FL), Paul Gosar (AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Wesley Hunt (TX), Nancy Mace (SC), Mary Miller (IL), Cory Mills (FL), Alex Mooney (WV), Barry Moore (AL), Troy Nehls (TX),  Andy Ogles (TN), Matt Rosendale (MT), Keith Self (TX)

Vote to Remove McCarthy as Speaker of the House--3 October 2023

Full List of Republicans Who Voted to Oust Kevin McCarthy

Matt Gaetz, Ken Buck, Andy Biggs, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Nancy Mace, Matt Rosendale

Veterans Day Statistics

U.S. Navy graphic

Department of Veterans Affairs Statistics at a Glance updated 6/30/2023

How Many Veterans Are There? 2023 Veteran Statistics

VETERANS’ ISSUES

Health:

VA makes data-sharing pledge for ‘seamless’ veteran health care across 13 systems

Updated COVID vaccines headed to overseas US military bases next month

Wags of wellness: Dogs enlisted in Navy effort to improve sailors’ mental health

Military Exposures & Your Health - 2023 - Issue 10 

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: How Does It Affect Federal Retirees?

How Black WWI veterans got their own VA hospital in Tuskegee

VA Family Coaching Study

My HealtheVet is moving to VA.gov    My HealtheVet: What To Know

Veteran Usability Recruiting

Live Whole Health #187: Just one moment 

Live Whole Health #188: Having a ball with yoga

Live Whole Health #189: Give it a break! 

2024 FEHB Plan Comparison Tools, Brochures, Premium Rates     Open Season

Education:

Air Force’s enlisted education revamp means more classroom time, new curriculum

How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits

How to Verify Enrollment for Post-9/11 GI Bill Students

Veterans tackle college while overseas

Veterans Benefits | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide

Veteran Recognition:

Milley defends democracy in farewell speech as Joint Chiefs chairman.
The Patriot: How Mark Milley Held the Line

Army vet forced to quit as cop because of burn pit illness wins nearly $2.5M in lawsuit 

World War II medic honored at  Arlington gravesite with Bronze Star for D-Day heroics 

Legendary Navy quarterback Roger Staubach, ‘63 Heisman winner, special tribute

Purple Heart for 102-year-old WWII ‘Black Thursday” Raid Veteran 

Massachusetts Navy veteran gets military funeral more than a century after his death

WWII Marine and hero laid to rest at Punchbowl 80 years after his death

‘For 55 years, I’ve been waiting for this’: Honor Flight Chicago gives veterans their due

Click here for our Spotlight The First Amendment–What is the First Amendment?

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 Brain-Zone Quiz

Click here for our Educational Resources

Click here for our Virtual Museum

GLOBAL VMF CAUCUS MEETINGS

The Global VMF Caucus Steering Committee meets once a month. 

All Democrats Abroad members are welcome to attend. 

WebEx Link for 10 November at 14:00 EST.

Connect with us on      

Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!

“We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We don’t take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we’re willing to die to protect it…Every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, guardian and Coast Guardsman, each of us commits our very life to protect and defend that document, regardless of personal price.”                        – General Mark Milley