Greetings from the Co-Editor

We have been hard at work these last several months building a newsletter for our community: veterans, service members, military families, and allies. A whirlwind of news and legislation has impacted our community so far this year. Between COVID vaccinations for veterans and military families, burn pit and toxic exposure legislation, veteran deportation legislation, and more, we have been very busy. That is why we created a new section of our newsletter: “How We Are Fighting for Veterans and Military Families.” We want to tell you all about what we’re working on, and we want you to continue to tell us what you want. We receive emails every month from our readers about VMF issues.  You can write us at our newsletter email address [email protected].

Please continue to tell us what you want to see, what you’ve enjoyed or would like to see change about our newsletter, and keep bringing new issues to us so we can continue to advocate for our community. We have had amazing results so far from our analytics team. Almost 40% of our members are reading the newsletter! We want to continue improving this publication for those who read it now and those who may read it in the future. Our next goal is to better integrate our newsletter with the Democrats Abroad website where we can create more detailed versions of particular sections of our newsletter. For instance, we intend to move much of the legislation we are tracking onto the website. We understand that these bills moving through Congress are important, but we also realize that two pages of legislation in the newsletter may be too much.

Remember, this newsletter is for you. Contact us any time you have VMF concerns that you believe we should address and never hesitate to ask us questions about voting, registering to vote, utilizing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or Vote From Abroad!

Democratically yours,

Anthony “Mike” Nitz, Navy Veteran

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UPCOMING GLOBAL VMF CAUCUS MEETINGS

The Global VMF Caucus Steering Committee meets every second week. All Democrats Abroad members are welcome to attend. The next two VMF meetings will be Sunday, July 11 as per Rotation B and Sunday, July 25 as per Rotation A.

Here is the login info for the Zoom Meetings:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89614594834

HOW WE ARE FIGHTING FOR

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

We Help Veterans and Military Families Transition to Civilian Life:

• VA Welcome Kit—updated June 8, 2021 Click here
• Need a whole year off, a gap year, between the military and civilian life? Click here
• Veterans Transition Survival Guide: To get your free copy, click here.

We Support the Hiring of Veterans:

• U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D, NJ-3) is hiring a New Jersey-based Wounded Warrior fellow, a two-year paid fellowship that is open to honorably discharged veterans released from active duty within the past 5 years who have a 20% or more service-connected disability. Do you know a veteran who would be a good fit? Click here to apply.
• U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) is currently hiring a Gold Star Family Fellow in his Los Angeles District Office for a full-time, paid fellowship. This fellowship program not only provides an employment opportunity, but also helps the congressman's office gain a unique perspective that will help ensure he and his staff are meeting the needs of current and former service-members and their families. Interested Gold Star Family Members can apply now through July 30th by clicking here. If you have questions, please call Rep. Lieu's LA District Office at +1 (323) 651-1040.
• The Military Times has listings from companies looking for vets. Click here
• If you know of any veteran’s employment opportunities, let us know.

We Want To Ensure All Overseas Veterans Have Access To The COVID-19 Vaccine: 

• The Dept. of Defense (DoD) is currently delivering vaccines to more than 340 sites around the globe in an effort to vaccinate all eligible DoD beneficiaries. Not all locations have reached the same phase. To find out when you can get the vaccine, contact your local U.S. military hospital or clinic here. If your local U.S. military hospital or clinic can’t schedule an appointment for you now, leave your name and contact information, if possible, and request to be contacted when the vaccine is available for you. Continue to follow your military hospital's or clinic's website, news media, or social media to stay informed about vaccine availability and updates.  
• Veterans and spouses can now get walk-in appointments for coronavirus vaccines at VA medical centers. Nearly 3 million veterans and federal workers have received vaccines via the VA in the last five months. For more, click here.
• Veterans who are living or traveling outside of the United States can receive reimbursement from the VA for their COVID-19 vaccine through the Foreign Medical Program. For more information, click here.

We Specialize In Helping Veterans and Military Families Vote:

• Americans living overseas need to request their ballot every year by sending in a 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 we recommend you use 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!

We Assist Veterans and Military Family Members With Voter Registration and GOTV:

• We welcome volunteers of all stripes--- Get Out The Vote (GOTV)! You can help right away by joining our Phone Banking Team. Our Phone Bankers have been crucial to getting out the vote during the COVID Era and continue to be important as we continue our voter protection advocacy.
• Democrats Abroad will also be continuing its Global Voting Assistance Program, with certification trainings happening in the fall as well.
• If you want to help with voter registration on military bases, we are working on a global military GOTV plan. We will have trainings, resources, kits, and recommendations; keep an eye out for them in the fall!
• Remember, we want YOU to help others get out the vote!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congress Passes and Biden Signs Legislation To Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday, the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Click here. For an inspiring piece about Honoring Juneteenth Through Art in Galveston Texas, click here. Click here for Washington Post videos.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial “Virtual Wall”: To find the names of those who left us in Vietnam, click on the link below, then click on a state, scroll to a city, and click. You can click on a name and the details will appear. Click here

The Supreme Court Struck Down Another Challenge to the Affordable Care Act: In a 7-2 ruling on June 17, the Supreme Court dismissed a case led by the state of Texas and joined by other Republican-led states that sought to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act. The opinion penned by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer noted that they did not have the legal standing to do so. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented. For more information, click here.

JULY

July 4 - Independence Day: Click here and for a July 4th coloring page for children, click here.

July 17- Anniversary of John Lewis’s Passing: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." - John Lewis

July 21 - Anniversary of the Creation of Veterans Administration: On this date in 1930 President Hoover signed an executive order establishing the Veterans Administration which combined The Veterans Bureau, The Bureau of Pensions, and The National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Most people still call it the VA, but the VA was integrated into the Dept. of Veterans Affairs via executive order in 1989. It has been a cabinet level agency ever since. To watch a video about the history of the VA, click here and here.

July 25 - National Hire A Veteran Day is just as important as July 4th for some, at least where the post-retirement or separation future of America’s military population is concerned. Every year some 200,000 military people leave the uniformed services. Click here

July 26 - National Disability Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, 1990. Click here

July 27 - National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: Each year, the President of the United States issues a proclamation announcing July 27th as a day of national observance in honor of Korean War veterans and their families. Click here

July 28 - Buffalo Soldiers Day commemorates the formation of the first regular Army regiments comprising African American soldiers in 1866. Click here

July 29 - Anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps: The United States Army Chaplain Corps is a unique part of American military tradition. Said to be THE smallest unit in the U.S. Army the Chaplain Corps predates Independence Day and since this unit began, chaplains have served in every American conflict. Click here, and here.

UPCOMING SPECIAL ELECTIONS

For Excellent Resources for Election Dates and Information, Click here

Florida’s 20th Congressional District Special Election

Important Details: Primary November 2, 2021 General January 11, 2022

Ohio’s 11th and 15th Congressional Districts Special Elections August 3

Important Details: Primaries are August 3, General Election is Nov. 2

Registration Deadline: July 6 (primary) & Oct. 4 (general)

Online registration: Yes

Same-day registration: No

Early voting starts: Oct. 5

Primary Absentee Voting Deadlines for OH-11: Aug. 2 (postmarked), Aug. 3 (received if delivered by courier), Aug. 12 (received if delivered by USPS).

Absentee Voting Deadline for OH-11: Nov. 1 (postmarked) & Nov. 12 (received)

Voter ID: Non-photo ID

Polling place hours: 6:30 am to 7:30 pm

California Gubernatorial Recall Election

Important Details: The Lieutenant Governor will schedule a recall ballot initiative this year. If that initiative succeeds, there will be a recall election to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. Governor Newsom cannot run in this election if he is successfully recalled.

New Jersey General Election

Important Details: New Jersey will hold regularly scheduled elections for Governor, its General Assembly, and its State Senate on Nov 2.

Registration deadline: Oct 3 (ballot sent by mail) or Oct 12 (ballot sent by email/fax). 

Ballot request deadline: Oct 3 (ballot sent by mail) or Oct 29 (ballot sent by email/fax).

Online registration: Yes

Same-day registration: No

Absentee voting deadline: Nov 2 by 8:00 pm 

Virginia General Election

Important Details: Virginia will hold regularly scheduled elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and its General Assembly on Nov 2.

Registration deadline: Oct 12 (overseas citizens) or Nov 2 (uniformed services and eligible family members).

Ballot request deadline: Oct 22

Online registration: Yes

Same-day registration: No

Absentee voting deadline: Nov 2 (postmarked) & Nov 5 (received)

WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?

Bills To Watch 

"Equal Rights Amendment"

The ERA Task Force needs your help NOW. Call your Senators and tell them equal rights must be anchored in our Constitution or else all could be undone by executive order. More info and scripts can be found if you click here.

“For the People Act”

Support the House-passed H.R.1, the “For the People Act” (S.1 in the Senate). This landmark legislation protects voters from state voting list purges, expands and standardizes early voting, provides for automatic voter registration, ends gerrymandering, removes dark and foreign money from politics, and provides many other protective measures that will transform our voting landscape. It will, in many cases, reverse the Republican attacks on voting that are happening now at the state level across the U.S. To learn more click here and here. Status: The Senate voted 50-50 along party lines on a Republican filibuster, failing to muster the 60 votes necessary to begin debate on the bill. For more information, click here.

Contact Your Senators: Call TODAY and urge them to support the For the People Act to protect voting rights for all Americans! Click here and here.

Sample Script:

“Hi, I am {______________} and I am a constituent of Senator {__________________}.

I support the “For the People Act” (H.R.1 and S.1) and hope the Senator

will do everything he/she can to pass the strongest

possible bill to support voting rights.”

Other VMF-Related Bills to Watch

Major Updates (as of June 18):

HR 2093, the “VA Employee Fairness Act”, passed in the House on June 15.

HR 2523, the “THRIVE Act”, was signed into law on June 8.

S. 475 was signed into law by President Biden on June 17 making “Juneteenth National Independence Day” (June 19th) a federal holiday.

H.R. 51: The “Washington, D.C. Admission Act” would admit the city of Washington, D.C. into the union as the 51st state and redefine the “Capitol” to a selection of streets and federal buildings where Government business is conducted. Status: Passed in the House on April 22 and received by the Senate.

H.R.163: The “Protect Patriot Spouses Act” includes new language to allow eligible veteran spouses who have been removed from or have left the United States to apply for an immigrant visa and return home. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Immigration and Citizenship on March 4.

H.R. 234: The “Korean American VALOR Act” amends existing laws to treat those members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces who served as allies to the U.S. in the Vietnam War as veterans of the United States Armed Forces for the purpose of granting them access to healthcare provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Status: Pending a vote by the House of Representatives since March 4.

H.R. 239: The “Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act” would prohibit the Dept. of Veterans Affairs from requiring veterans to pay for contraceptives that are required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement. Status: Failed to pass a two-thirds vote (240-188) to suspend the rules and pass the bill on June 15. This type of vote is typical for legislation that is considered non-controversial. The bill is expected to be brought up for another vote in the House that will only require a simple majority.

H.R. 475: The “Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act” is legislation that would allow young adults to stay on their parents’ TRICARE until they are 26, mirroring the current provision in private civilian healthcare policies. By extending the policy for young adults in military families, we can relieve the financial burdens brought on by healthcare and ensure they receive quality insurance while they transition into adult life. Status: Referred to the House Armed Services Committee on January 25.

H.R. 958: The “Protecting Moms Who Served Act” would improve maternal health care for veterans and aims to eliminate maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities among veterans. Status: Passed in the House on May 12. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on May 13.

H.R. 983: The “Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act” would establish a new criminal offense for knowingly scheming to defraud an individual of veterans’ benefits. Status: Referred to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on April 23.

H.R. 1123: The “Veteran Suicide Prevention Act” would require the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to complete a review of veteran suicides during the 5 year period prior to the enactment of the bill. The report will be made publicly available. Status: Referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health on March 22.

H.R. 1182: The “Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act” would:  

1. require the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain data on potentially removable noncitizen veterans. The Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary would be directed to establish an annual training program for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel on handling noncitizen veterans;
2. direct DHS to establish a Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee that would make recommendations on whether an individual should be granted a stay of removal, deferred action, or parole, or should be removed from the country;
3. provide a streamlined pathway to citizenship for spouses and children of members of the Armed Services through a joint DoD/DHS program; and
4. require DHS to establish a program and application procedure that allows eligible veterans to be admitted as noncitizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. It also directs the Attorney General to reopen removal proceedings concerning any non-citizen veterans and, where appropriate, rescind any orders of removal already issued. 

Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services (February 18) and the House Subcommittees on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (March 22) and on Immigration and Citizenship (April 28).

H.R. 1491: The “Fair Debt Collection for Servicemembers Act” would prohibit debt collectors (credit card companies, payday lenders, etc.) from telling service members that failure to cooperate with them will result in a reduction of rank, a revocation of security clearance, or military prosecution. Status: Passed in the House on April 20. Referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on April 22.

S. 771/ H.R. 1948: The “VA Employee Fairness Act”would ensure that the VA’s Title 38 healthcare professionals—including nurses, physicians, dentists, and physician assistants who serve our veterans— have the same workplace rights currently granted to other VA clinicians and federal employees. Status: H.R. 1948 is pending a vote by the House of Representatives since May 4. S. 771 was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on March 16.

H.R. 1522 / S. 780: The “Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act” would provide for the admission of Puerto Rico as a state following the 2020 statehood referendum where 52.5% of Puerto Rican voters voted for statehood. Status: The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on H.R. 1522 on April 14. S. 780 was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on March 16.

H.R. 2070: The “Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act” would direct the Puerto Rican legislature to hold a status convention that would determine a selection of choices for Puerto Rico’s political status (statehood, continue to be a territory, independence, etc) and hold another referendum with the full slate of choices. Ranked choice voting would be authorized for this referendum. Status: Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 18. The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on April 14.

H.R. 2093: The “Veterans and Family Information Act” is a bipartisan bill that would direct the Department of Veterans' Affairs to make versions of all of its fact sheets available in the ten most commonly spoken languages in our nation, including Tagalog and Spanish, and also require the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a website that provides links to all fact sheets of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and National Cemetery Administration. Status: Passed in the House on June 15. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on June 16.

H.R. 2358: The “Voter Empowerment Act” takes a comprehensive approach to closing the gaps in voting access and ensuring that every American can participate in the electoral process. Specifically, it would ensure ballots are counted from Americans serving in the military or overseas. Status: Referred to six House Committees on April 5.

H.R. 2441: The “Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act” would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess mental health resources available to veterans who live in rural areas and would expand a program designed to serve them. Status: Passed in the House on May 18. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on May 19.

H.R. 2523: The “Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment (THRIVE) Act” 1) strengthens the COVID-19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program created under the American Rescue Plan Act by directing the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to facilitate a study determining high-demand occupations; 2) clarifies veterans’ eligibility for housing stipends under the retraining program; 3) directs VA to contact participating veterans about employment placement services; 4) directs VA to work with qualified nonprofit business associations to facilitate the employment of participating veterans; 5) improves the GI Bill Comparison Tool, 6) requires State Approving Agencies to conduct annual risk-based surveys of a university or university system for three years after it converts from a for-profit to a public institution; and 7) strengthens the prohibition on schools carrying out deceptive recruiting techniques to secure veteran enrollments. Status: Signed by the President and became law on June 8.

​​H.R. 2838​​​​: The “Syrian Partner Protection Act” would provide special immigrant status for Syrian Kurds and other Syrians who partnered with the United States Government in Syria. These individuals include interpreters and others. This program would be similar to the Special Immigrant Visa program that was created for conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.​ Status: Referred to House Committees on Judiciary and on Foreign Affairs on April 26.

​​S.1520​​​: The “Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act”​ is a bill to reform the disposition of charges and convening of courts-martial for certain offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and increase the prevention of sexual assaults and other crimes in the military. Status: Referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 29.

H.R. 3646: This bill’s text and name are not publicly available yet. The bill would direct the President’s team to develop and implement a plan to provide end-to-end electronic voting services for absent uniformed services voters who are deployed or mobilized to locations with limited postal services. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration on May 28.

VA Benefits for Burn Pit and Other Toxic Exposures

The following 4 bills would streamline the process for obtaining VA benefits for burn pit and other toxic exposures. Under current law, a veteran who has an illness or disability must establish a direct service connection in order to be eligible for VA benefits. Veterans exposed to burn pits face a cumbersome “burden of proof” to provide enough evidence to establish a direct service connection between their health and burn pit exposure. These bills would remove this burden of proof.

• R. 2372, the “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act”, 
• S. 437, the “Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act”, 
• S. 1188, the “SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act”, and 
• S. 927, the “Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act”. 

For additional background click here.

Congressional Burn Pits Caucus: Co-Chaired by Rep. Raul Ruiz (D, CA-36) and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R, OH-2).

THE VMF SPOTLIGHT

Photos of VMF Wreath Laying From Around the World

From Luxembourg American Cemetery

Memorial Day Wreaths from DA Germany's Veterans & Military Families Caucus and DA Luxembourg were placed at the Luxembourg American Cemetery by Will Bakker, Tim Lone, and Anita Bakker of DA Luxembourg and Kendra Borgen of DA Netherlands. VMF Caucus members from Germany were unable to attend due to coronavirus travel restrictions. They honored SSgt. George Peddle, from the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, aka Ghost Army, buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Efforts are underway to convince Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to SSgt. Peddle and the other soldiers of The Ghost Army. It has passed in the House and now we are lining up co-sponsors for the Senate bill, S 1404. If you would like to get involved, click here. Click here for a short video about SSgt. Peddle.

From Toulouse, France

In the south Tarn in the village of Le Rialet is a site called Betgès— where two OSS men were killed during an ambush by a Nazi column on Aug 12, 1944.

DA Veterans & Military Families Caucus members and members of the DAUK Cambridge Chapter met May 31 for wreath laying at the Cambridge American Cemetery while a B-29 circled three times overhead.

May 30^th Remembrance of the Forever Wars

On May 30th, the VMF Caucus held a remembrance for the fallen of the Forever Wars. Leaders from many of the global caucuses came to express their support for the surviving families, and their collective grief about the toll these wars have taken on our lives and our country.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

VMF Webinar Featuring the “Greenwood” Ballet

As part of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the DA Germany VMF Caucus with the generosity of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the composers Emmanuel Witzthum and Craig Tattersall organized a viewing of the Greenwood  ballet performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Alvin Ailey—dancer, choreographer, activist—challenged discrimination through dance. Ailey’s artistic goal was to represent the fight for social justice, equality, and freedom of speech. Greenwood, choreographed by Donald Byrd, illuminates the tragedy that was the spark that ignited the Tulsa Race Massacre 100 years ago. The ballet presents 3 possible scenarios of an incident in an elevator between a young Black male (19) and a White female (17). The young man was arrested for an alleged assault, a mob formed, and the next day Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood, called the Black Wall Street by Booker T. Washington, was burned to the ground. Let us use this opportunity to take action so that this never happens again. One major action we can take is to write to our senators (click here and here) to urge them to pass the For The People Act to protect voting rights.

100 Years After: The Tulsa Race Massacre

For the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre the Global Black Caucus, Global VMF Caucus, the DAG VMF Caucus, and the DAUK Black Caucus presented on June 5th a powerful webinar featuring Robert Scott’s scholarly summary of the Tulsa events leading up to the massacre, the viewing of 2 eyewitness accounts before Congress, a reading of a poem “The Silence of One Hundred Years” by Paul Hickman, and a Q & A discussion. If you missed our event, you can still watch it by clicking here. 

*        *        *

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever

human beings endure suffering and humiliation.

We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor,

 never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor,

never the tormented.”

- Elie Wiesel

FILM RECOMMENDATIONS

“The Outpost” Director and Army veteran Rod Lurie tells the story of the Afghanistan War's 2009 Battle of Kamdesh at Combat Outpost Keating in a movie about an incident that resulted in Army Staff Sgts. Clinton Romesha and Ty Carter receiving the Medal of Honor for their actions. Scott Eastwood and Orlando Bloom star in the film; now on home video and Netflix.

“Ready For War” Hear the true stories of “El Vet,” Miguel Pérez, and Héctor Barajas as they retell their military service to the nation but end up getting deported despite their PTSD from war, lives established and settled within the U.S., and other signs of clear American patriotism. This film is available for streaming through Hulu, Stan, and Amazon Prime.

“News of the World” Tom Hanks stars as a Civil War veteran who travels the southwest performing stories from newspapers for illiterate and itinerant workers, many of whom are fellow war vets. Hanks somehow finds himself saddled with the task of delivering an orphaned white girl raised by the Kiowa tribe to distant white relatives in Texas and must negotiate hostile territory and even more hostile white men to get her there. Although maybe a stretch to call this a military movie, it does take place in a post-war environment decimated by the Civil War. The fallout of that conflict hangs over every scene of this beautiful western. Netflix 

3 Documentaries About The Tulsa Race Massacre: Shows Americans just how deadly unchecked racism can be: Here

Top 10 Military Films of 2020 Here

SUGGESTION BOX

POETRY CORNER

(Please send poetry submissions to: [email protected])

Unsuppressed Voting Sonnet

by Nancy Harb Almendras

Rashida Talib (pronounce it tuh leeb)

A mother "working for justice for all"

To Congress attests that all can succeed

The once forgotten stand mighty and tall.

Jimmy Carter (it's pronounced Jimmy Carter)

Cried "apartheid" before it was the rage

Still building houses although it's smarter

To rest easy at home in one's old age.

Elizabeth Warren (not hard to say)

Grew up poor, went to college, and prevailed

Scholar, lawyer, could have called it a day

Not content until big business is nailed

Heed, citizens! Do not forego the right

To get out the vote and reverse our plight.

VMF COUNTRY CAUCUSES

Country VMF Caucuses are around the world! To start a VMF Caucus in your country, send us an email here and we will help you navigate the process.

To read up on news and events from the DA France VMF Caucus, click here.

To learn more about news and events from the DA Germany VMF Caucus, contact them here.

Co-Editors:

Bob Gould (United Kingdom, VMF Global Co-chair, Military Family)
Anthony “Mike” Nitz (Vietnam, VMF Global Secretary, Veteran)
Robin Rafaelidys (Greece, Military Family)

Editorial Staff:

Kathy Davidson (France, Military Family)
Kee Evans (Guatemala, Military Family)
Tilly Gaillard (France)
Terese Sarno (Germany)

To receive the agenda or minutes from our meetings, contact us by emailing
 [email protected]

July 23, 2014. The Coast Guard saluting Col Joseph D Davidson,
the new Commander of Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NYC
Credit: Kathy Davidson, Palaiseau, France
Global DA-VMF