August 2023 |
Newsletter |
VOL. 3, NO. 8 |
To view in PDF, click here
"He helped liberate prisoners at a subcamp of Dachau. He joined the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery. He performed for Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, and Queen Elizabeth II, and recorded music with everyone from the Count Basie Orchestra to Lady Gaga. Bob Hope gave him his stage name. Frank Sinatra was his mentor. There's no doubt about it – Tony Bennett's life was legendary. And his contributions to the arts in America will endure."
–President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Editor’s Message
This fall the Supreme Court will hear a case that could result in post 9-11 veterans being eligible for additional education benefits.
Last month we mentioned DA AGM resolutions and where they go and what they accomplish mentioning the resolution from the 2022 DA AGM concerning DC Statehood.
Here is the follow-up: If the resolution does not contain language that states it should be sent to an organization outside DA, then it just stays on the records in DA, so it actually does not have any real effect. When I was in DC for the 2023 DA AGM, I visited DC Home Rule, an impressive exhibit developed by the DC Statehood Committee, at the DC History Center in the Carnegie Library at Mount Vernon Square. I had the opportunity to speak with members of the Committee and mentioned that DA passed a resolution on DC Statehood at our 2022 AGM and they had no knowledge of this. They were most appreciative but it would have been considerate if someone in DA had notified them that we support their efforts because perhaps our support could possibly strengthen the Statehood Committee’s efforts as well as highlight DA’s activity.
How many of us knew that resolutions, when they are finally acted upon, normally just stay in house? Unless the resolution states that it should be sent to some outside group or individual for consideration, it remains in DPCA minutes as a passed resolution but nothing more.The membership should be thoroughly apprised of everything concerned with resolutions so that they include the necessary language in their proposals. Developing and perfecting resolutions takes a huge amount of time and energy and members want these resolutions to have an influence outside the inner DA chambers.
Terese Sarno
Editor
Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!
May 31-June 2, 2024 DPCA Annual General Meeting in Costa Rica
2024 Costa Rica AGM Interest Form
(Memorial Day 2024 is celebrated/ observed on Monday, May 27th.)
ELECTION UPDATES
The Election Assistance Commission report on the 2022 election:
2022 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) Comprehensive Reports
- The UOCAVA section is at Chapter 4 (pp. 193-226), with charts on pp. 211-226.
- The headline numbers from the Executive Summary (at page iv):
Number of UOCAVA Ballots sent out in 2022: more than 650,000
- Ratio sent to uniformed voters: ⅓
- Ratio sent to civilians: ⅔
- Percentage of ballots returned: slightly more than 40% (approximately 260,000)
- Percentage of ballots counted: over 96%
- Most common reason for rejection: Received after the deadline
- Number of FWABs received: 4,000
- Percentage received from uniformed voters: less than ¼
- Percentage received from civilian voters: over ¾
WWW.VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG
OHIO
August 8, 2023:
Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments
Mississippi statewide primary
August 8, 2023-7 p.m. UOCAVA Absentee Ballot deadline by email or fax
Primary runoff: August 29, 2023
General: November 7, 2023
General runoff: November 28, 2023
Offices on the ballot: Governor, Lt Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Senate, and State House
September 5, 2023:
Rhode Island Special Primary in U.S. Congressional District 1
October 14, 2023-Primary (Open - all candidates on ballot regardless of party, winner if greater than 50% of vote)
All overseas voters may vote in Louisiana state elections
Offices on the ballot: Governor, Lt Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Senate, and State House
Deadline Information: www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting
- Schedule of 2023 Elections (Revised Dec. 2022)
Registration deadline: September 13, 2023
Registration deadline: September 23, 2023 (GeauxVote Online Registration only)
Ballot request deadline: October 13, 2023, 4:30pm
Ballot return deadline: Received by October 14, 2023
KENTUCKY
STATE ELECTIONS: "Intend to return" and "Return uncertain" overseas voters may vote in Kentucky state elections
Offices on the ballot: Governor, Lt Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State
November 7, 2023: General election
Registration deadline: October 10, 2023, 4pm
Ballot request deadline: October 31, 2023, 5pm
Ballot return deadline: Must be received in Kentucky by November 7, 2023 at 6pm (Mail only)
Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org to request your ballot!
If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) immediately at fvap.gov/FWAB. It works like a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted.
To make sure your voted ballot is received, go to FVAP.gov, select your state from the pulldown menu and then click the "check the status of your voted ballot" button.
ADVOCACY
How to Prepare for Financial Challenges When Retiring Overseas
Veterans Benefit Banking Program has converted 250,000 Veterans to direct deposit
Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)
Veterans: There are VA Resources Available to Help You Find Employment
VA Contact Centers modernize to improve the Veteran experience
Veterans can now file supplemental claims online
Appealing your health care decisions
Change Your Address In Your VA.gov Profile
Veterans Experience Office (VEO)
The Department of Veterans Affairs established 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) in 2020 to help Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors understand and access the broad spectrum of VA benefits and services.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Supreme Court rejects controversial election law theory
Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE)
Twenty-four years after the Olmstead decision
Judge dismisses Tulsa race massacre reparations case filed by last known survivors
AUGUST
Antiterrorism Awareness Month
PACT Act benefits: claims received by August 9
will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation
August 1 – Ballot Request deadline Ohio Special Election
Ballot return deadline: Mail only: Received by August 12, 2023 (postal mail or diplomatic pouch) [*If sent by courier: Must be received by August 8, 2023 at 7:30pm]
August 4 – Coast Guard Day
August 6 – Deadline to request RI absentee ballot for Sept. 5 Senate Election
August 7 – Purple Heart Day
August 8 – MS STATE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
August 10 – Global VMF Caucus Meeting 07:00 EDT Link PW: dems Mtg #23102602760
August 10 – U.S. Department of Defense Birthday
August 10 – Agent Orange Awareness Day
August 11 – Mindfulness Meditation 11am to 12 noon ET by telephone 1-404-397-1596 or 1-833-558-0712 (Toll Free) Participant Access code: 433 794 55, no registration required-for more information Email [email protected].
August 13, 1961– The barbed wire surrounded Berlin as the Wall construction started.
August 14 – Navajo Code Talkers Day
August 15 – Stress Solution Workshop-Online 8pm EDT ( CEST 2:00 am August 16)
August 16 – National Airborne Day
August 29 – Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
August 29 – MS STATE PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION DAY (IF NEEDED)
Upcoming DA Activities
WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?
S.1952 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for care from the Department of Veterans Affairs to include members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Secure Act 2.0: What You Need to Know The “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023”, signed into law by President Joseph Biden on December 29, 2022, included “SECURE 2.0 Act” with retirement savings provisions. What the new legislation could mean for you
VA burial benefits for military spouses and children could become permanent
VETERANS’ ISSUES
Health:
Special issue of Health Equity devoted to improving care for minority Veterans
Appealing your health care decisions
VA apps provide personalized health care experience
Your Intent To File A VA Claim
PTSD Bytes #28: Video mental health appointments
First anniversary of Mammography and Medical Options Act (MAMMO Act)
Health Literacy to Achieve Health Equity in Minority Veterans
Birth control is available at VA. Let’s talk about it.
View Or Change Dependents On Your VA Disability Benefits
Live Whole Health #176: Mindfulness in a minute
Live Whole Health #177: Playing with clouds
Live Whole Health #178: Imagining Danger
MHS GENESIS is the new Electronic Health Record. This will become the single health record for service members, veterans, and their families.
MHS GENESIS Patient Portal Registration
PACT Act: claims received by August 9 will eligible for 12 months backdated compensation
Education:
How to Use the GI Bill to Study Overseas
Change Your GI Bill School Or Program
GI Bill Student Newsletter - July 2023
Supreme Court agrees to hear case to expand VA education benefits
G.I. Bill success story: Dariell Cooper's transition
G.I. Bill success story: Rishell Chambers carved her own path
G.I. Bill success story: Emmanuel Amponsah on being a first-generation college student
Veteran Recognition:
Vietnam Veteran’s story one of many on July 4
Navy Veteran, VA employee, Gold Star mother remembers son
Army renames Louisiana base for Black WWI Medal of Honor hero.
Community Building Art Works makes sure certain women, non-binary Vets are heard
VA researcher helping to change the future of Alzheimer’s Disease
Preventing harassment for LGBTQ+ Veterans and VA employees
Click here for our Spotlight Operation Storytime, United Through Reading
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 except August 2023
All Democrats Abroad members are welcome to attend.
WebEx link for 10 September 2023 at 07:00 EDT Password: dems
Mtg # 23102602760
SUGGESTION BOX
Do you have a suggestion or comment?
Let us know: [email protected]
Connect with us on 
Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!
|
Editor: Terese Sarno (Germany) |
Veterans and Military Families Caucus Chair: Kee Adams Evans (Guatemala) |