August 2024 |
Newsletter |
VOL. 4, NO. 8 |
To view in PDF, click here
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“Our founders understood the power of passion, and so they created a democracy that gave reason and balance a chance to prevail over brute force. That’s the America we must be.” –President Joe Biden
Editor’s Message
Greetings! President Biden’s announcement has created a lot of activity. The Biden-Harris accomplishments, highlighted in our newsletters, especially efforts on behalf of Veterans and military families, are incredible. When the official nominee is announced, we must do everything we can. Our country and its freedom hang in the balance. We are calling on every U.S. citizen overseas to Register, Request, Return your absentee ballot. Fill out a FWAB if your ballot does not arrive 45 days before the election or do it earlier! By encouraging every U.S. citizen overseas to return their ballots, we can ensure that ERA finally gets into the Constitution this year. The power of action is in your hands to make the Equal Rights Amendment the 28th Amendment! Click the Action Button. Contact Members of Congress. Spread the word on social media! Let's do this! Turnout is important. DA members have been a formidable force in previous elections. With your help, we can make it happen. Safeguard Democracy!
Terese Sarno
Editor-in-Chief
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Nancy Pelosi’s message to Democrats Abroad:“We need those votes!”
Nancy Pelosi with Terese Sarno at D-Day 80, June 6, 2024 |
Democrats Abroad members are welcome to attend the monthly
Global VMF Caucus meeting. WebEx link for August 10 at 14:00 ET.
Connect with us on 
Ready to join our caucus? Be part of the conversation and make your voice heard.
Excerpts from President Biden’s July 24, 2024 Speech
“...In recent weeks, it has become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavor. I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merited a second term. But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition…So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation. I know there was a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now…I revere this office, but I love my country more. It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title. I draw strength and find joy in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me, it’s about you. Your families, your futures…I ran for president four years ago because I believed and still do that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. That is still the case. America is an idea. An idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world. That idea is that we hold these truths to be self-evident…We are all created equal, endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. We’ve never fully lived up to it — to this sacred idea — but we’ve never walked away from it either. And I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now…The great thing about America is, here kings and dictators do not rule — the people do. History is in your hands. The power’s in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. You just have to keep faith — keep the faith — and remember who we are. We are the United States of America…So let’s act together, preserve our democracy. God bless you all and may God protect our troops. Thank you.”
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GOTV
Register, Request, Return your absentee ballot--VoteFromAbroad
“We are the first generation in half a century to give our daughters a country with fewer rights than we had…Book bans. Voting laws gutted. Court decisions that strip away our most basic freedoms… When our bodies are on the line, when our daughters’ futures are at stake, when our country and its freedom hang in the balance, we are immovable and unstoppable.” –Dr. Jill Biden
MORE VOTER ASSISTANCE TRAININGS AVAILABLE
PHONEBANKING TRAINING ONE-TO ONE VOTER HELP
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Requesting your ballot: Americans living overseas need to request their ballot every year by sending in Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). We recommend that you send in your FPCA as early as possible each year. You will automatically be registered to receive absentee ballots for federal elections in that calendar year as mandated by federal law, and ballots must be sent to you at least 45 days in advance of the election when you register with the FPCA. You can fill out a physical FPCA and mail it, or you can use Vote From Abroad! We recommend using Vote From Abroad because you can fill out and send your ballot request online and the website comes equipped with many useful resources for voters like information on when elections are taking place, what positions are up for election, and the rules for voting absentee in your state. It’s quick, reliable, and eco-friendly!
Deadlines: All states have different deadlines for registration, and ballot return methods can vary from state to state. Make sure to check our State Voting Guide to get all those details correct! You can also check with your DA Country Committee for specifics.
Absentee Ballot has not arrived? Send the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). This emergency Backup Ballot is specifically for overseas voters!
Need help? If you need help, you can email [email protected] or for live in-person help on Zoom, click here.
Doing more: If you want to do more, that’s great. We welcome all volunteers and we have opportunities for everyone! You can help right away by joining our Phone Banking Team. Our Phone Bankers were crucial to getting out the vote during the COVID pandemic and are still very important as we continue our voter protection advocacy
The BIDEN-HARRIS RECORD
Results for the American People
Talking Points to Get Out The Vote!
- Advanced cutting-edge research on cancer and other diseases through the ARPA-H initiative
- Signed legislation to put more cops on the beat and invest in community policing
- Signed the Electoral Count Act, which takes long overdue steps to protect the integrity of our elections
- Lowered the cost of hearing aids by making them available over the counter
- Created more manufacturing jobs in 2022 than in any single year in nearly 30 years
- Signed an Executive Order to encourage competition across industries
- Took action to lower energy costs for families
- Lowered seniors’ health care expenses, including by capping out of pocket expenses on prescription drugs for seniors at $2,000 per year, ensuring that people enrolled in Medicare will not pay more than $35 for a month’s supply of insulin, and recipients will receive free vaccines
- Accelerated adoption of electric vehicles by reducing costs for families, jumpstarted the first national EV charging network, and made historic investments into EV batteries and materials
- Rejoined the Paris Agreement on day one to reassert the United States global leadership to combat the climate crisis
- Jumpstarted the American offshore wind industry and convened the nation’s first federal-state offshore wind partnership
- Set new policies to reduce super pollutants like HFCs and methane to protect communities and reduce emissions fueling climate change
- Lowered the deficit with the single largest annual reduction in American history
- Secured commitments from 20 leading internet providers to increase speeds and cut prices
- Signed legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act
- Awarded the most ever federal contracting dollars to small businesses and disadvantaged small businesses
- Reignited the Cancer Moonshot with the goal of cutting the cancer death rate by at least half over the next 25 years
“Not only has President Biden delivered record low unemployment for veterans, he’s also made it easier for veterans and their families to access child care, affordable housing, and good-paying jobs.” –Jennifer Conlin (D - Ann Arbor) State Representative and Chair of the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee.
80th Anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery
D-Day 80: Remember Them
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Credit: Mike Shipman/ABM
News You Can Use
30 Things Joe Biden Did as President You Might Have Missed
Small military contingent seeks golden impact for Team USA in Paris
US service members join…100-mile march through the Netherlands
Airline decision narrows options for US military families with dogs…
VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT LINE
August 2024 – Setting Boundaries: Defining What is Best for You, the Caregiver A boundary is a border or limit, which you set in order to protect yourself. Personal boundaries may be physical or emotional. In this group we will delve into barriers and benefits of setting boundaries and lay out a series of steps to setting healthy boundaries with others in your life.
- Tues 8/06/24 - 10 a.m. Eastern
- Wed 8/14/24 - 7 p.m. Eastern
- Wed 8/21/24 - 3 p.m. Eastern
- Tues 8/27/24 - 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 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
ARMY ECHOES MAY 2024 – JUL 2024
Be sure to read (starting on p. 11) Leave no Soldier behind: Pathfinding for those retiring overseas by Lt. Col. Jim Yentz, U.S. Army, Retired
MyArmyBenefits | The Official Army Benefits Website
U.S. Army Retired Soldier Handbook 2024
INFORMATION FOR RETIRED SOLDIERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
Soldier Casualty Assistance Checklist - September 2023
POST RETIREMENT
AMERICAN MILITARY (U.S. National Park Service)
Discover the people who have protected our freedom. Learn about the places that shaped our military history and culture. Explore opportunities for active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
Healing Journeys - American Military (U.S. National Park Service).
Whether you are active duty military or a veteran, experiences in national parks can take you places you never imagined.
Parks Near Department of Defense and Veterans Administration Facilities
The purpose of this map is to connect veterans, service members, their families, caregivers, and survivors with national parks nearest to Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense facilities.
Passes & Fee-Free Days American Military (U.S. National Park Service)
America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series includes different options of interagency passes that provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the United States.
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CALENDAR & EVENTS |
AUGUST is Antiterrorism Awareness Month
August 1-8 – Military Spouse Voters Week
August 4 – Coast Guard Day
August 7 – Purple Heart Day
August 10 – Global VMF Caucus Monthly Meeting
August 10 – Agent Orange Awareness Day
August 10 – U.S. Department of Defense Birthday
August 13-15, 1961–1989 The Rise of the Berlin Wall through rare photographs
August 14 – Navajo Code Talkers Day
August 16 – National Airborne Day
August 19-22 – The Democratic National Convention, Chicago
August 24-29 – National Veterans Golden Age Games, Salt Lake City
National Veterans Golden Age Games Event & Sport Schedule
August 29 – Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
August 31 – Military Appreciation Day
August 31 – Global Voter Registration Day
August 31-September 21 – DA REGISTER TOGETHER Campaign
Upcoming DA Activities
VETERANS’ ISSUES
Health:
Managing Stress with VA Whole Health
Military Exposures & Your Health - 2024 - Issue 13
Veteran Recognition:
How the Only Black Woman to Serve in the U.S. Army in WW I Was Just Discovered
The Forgotten Hero of D-Day – Waverly Woodson
Late Hall of Famer Willie Mays receives final military honors for his US Army service
Click here for our Spotlight The Sixth Fleet in Villefranche
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
SUGGESTION BOX
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Want to help overseas Americans request their absentee ballots? Vote in 2024? Please let us know if you have requested your absentee ballot. 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) |
“If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
