| July 2025 |
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⭐ Next VMF Meeting: July 12, 2025, at 7:00 AM ET on Webex. ⭐
Link to attend here; Meeting number 23136097204; password: dems
* VMF meetings are open to all DA members, and all VMF members are encouraged to attend.
Message from the Chair
Dear Democratic colleagues,
This last month has hit us with an avalanche of news. The number of veteran and military-related deportations without due process, the continued mass VA job cuts, the door slammed shut in the faces of our transgender service members – it’s all simply unacceptable. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the “No Kings” and “No Dictators” protests on June 14th, and another thank you to those who participated in the “Unite for Veterans, Unite for America” veterans rally on June 6th. VMF was proud to have our members present in all parts of the globe, including Tokyo, Paris, and elsewhere.
Pictured above: VMF Member Terese Sarno (L) from Germany took to the streets of NYC to raise her voice in the “No Kings” protest. Meanwhile, VMF Member Jessica van Dop DeJesus (R) protested in Brussels during the global “No Tyrants” protests.
But we still have much work to do. In the 6/24 House hearing on the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), testimony stated that in the 2022 midterms, only 26% of military personnel voted, and only 3% of Americans abroad voted. According to the DNC’s Veterans and Military Families Council, only 12% of veterans voted in the 2024 election, despite veterans accounting for 17% of the U.S. population.
With a range of special elections this year and midterms coming up in 2026, we are motivated to continue in our core mission to help get out the vote from abroad, especially from our military-connected communities. Go to VotefromAbroad.org today to register and/or request your ballot for any upcoming elections.
As always, there is a lot to keep an eye on. For example, there’s a new surprise Congressional proposal to move the existing VA Regional Office (but not the VA Outpatient Clinic) from the Philippines to Guam. We’re still analyzing this potential move.
With so much at stake, we’re always looking for volunteers. If you’re ready to help the veterans and military families community abroad, our door is open and ready to get you involved in meaningful work. Get in touch via [email protected]!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay vocal,
Michael Ramos
Democrats Abroad Global VMF Chair
Get Out the Vote! (GOVT)
If you haven’t already done so for 2025, please request your ballot from VoteFromAbroad.org to get your home state ballot sent to you ahead of these upcoming elections.
Virginia-11 Special Election to fill vacant Congressional seat – Sept. 9.
Arizona-7 Special Election to fill vacant Congressional seat – Sept. 23.
*** Elections happening Nov. 4, 2025 ***
Virginia State Elections
New Jersey State Elections
Pennsylvania State Elections
Texas-18 Special Election to fill vacant Congressional seat
VMF News
VMF Online Meeting (7/12/2025, 7AM ET): Webex Meeting # 23136097204; password: dems
VMF Member Opinion: Reflecting on the Los Angeles riots of 1992 and comparing them to the present
VMF Member Opinion: By recklessly involving DoD in the June 2025 LA unrest, Hegseth continues his trend of undermining military readiness
VMF Member Opinion: This Administration can sink no lower as it tries to erase a courageous veteran’s legacy of courage
VMF Member Opinion: The Negative Impact This Administration Has On Today’s Recruitment And Retention
VMF Member Opinion: The VA Is Putting Profit Over Patients, Didn’t You Get The DOGE Memo?
VMF Member Opinion: We Are The Ones Who Must Save Ourselves From the SAVE Act
On June 27th, the U.S. Senate failed to pass legislation to prevent the president from taking future military action against Iran without authorization from Congress.
How did you Senators vote? See here.
***To view (lots!) more of the latest VMF News Articles & Opinions, please see here.
Reminder: Watch out for scams!
False promises made by for-profit companies have been around for decades. Don’t fall for “promises” of a higher VA disability rating or “guarantees” of service-connection. Always use a VA-accredited veteran service officer, VA-accredited claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney when filing a claim. And yes(!), you can file a VA claim from abroad! If you do identify a scam, such as one of the claim sharks trying to charge you money for filing a VA disability claim, be sure to inform the folks at VSAFE.
Are you following us on social media?
Also, be sure to check out VMF’s podcast and movie recommendations! And if you haven’t checked it out already, make sure to swing by our Virtual Museum (QR Code shown below). Simply click on each “display” and swipe through each one to view additional pages.
Questions/Comments/Suggestions?
For matters concerning the VMF newsletter: [email protected]
For reaching the VMF Caucus chair: [email protected]
For all other matters: [email protected]
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Are you following the Democrats Abroad Global Veterans & Military Families (VMF) Caucus on social media?
- CONUS: Call 988 and Press 1 or go to https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
- In Europe: +1 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
- In the Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
- In Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
- Chat: Text with a crisis line responder. Send a text to 838255 or through https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat
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The VMF Caucus, proudly consisting of veterans, military family members, DoD civilians, and strong allies of our causes, has a membership of approximately 1,300 members located in dozens of countries.