June 2023 |
Newsletter |
VOL. 3, NO. 6 |
To view in PDF, click here
“If we are to truly restore the soul of America, we need to protect the sacred right to vote. More people voted in the last presidential election than ever before in our history — in the middle of one of the worst pandemics ever. That should be celebrated. Instead, it’s being attacked.” –President Joe Biden
Editor’s Message —
Greetings! Recently on a cable TV channel, viewers saw a Town Hall meeting in New Hampshire showcasing one presidential candidate with audience questions from his devoted supporters. Robert Reich in his substack covered this with his usual aplomb, so I am sharing part of his article The danger is now:
“Friends, we do not have the luxury of waiting 18 months until the 2024 election.
The danger is now. We must speak out against Trumpian fascism.
Demand that Trump be held fully accountable for what he has done.
Condemn the media for allowing him to set the terms for appearing, and for magnifying and legitimizing his lies. Urge secretaries of state and other state election officials to refuse to put him on the ballot — under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone from holding office who, having taken an oath to support the Constitution, has engaged in an insurrection against the United States.
And we must make good trouble, as John Lewis put it: Mobilize to protect equal rights and preserve the rule of law. Call out haters and bigots. Take to the streets, if necessary, to defend our democracy.”
Remember the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword.”? Contact your Senators and Representatives about how unAmerican this candidate’s positions are.
Find Your Members in the U.S. Congress, Contacting U.S. Senators
Find Your Representative, U.S. Representatives
We must be proactive! Also urge them to support the Equal Rights Amendment!
Terese Sarno
Editor
Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!
DA Global Veterans and Military Families (VMF) Caucus Webinar
How the New Ohio Voting Law (HB 458) Affects Overseas Civilian and Military Voters
with Connie Pillich and Zach Roberts, Ohio Democrat
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
The deal to raise the debt ceiling is being sold as a necessary compromise
Michigan expands absentee voting for military members
Under the Radar, Right-Wing Push to Tighten Voting Laws Persists
Alarm after lawyer who aided Trump’s 2020 election lie attacks campus voting
A ‘ticking time bomb’: Pentagon moving too slowly on toxic cleanup at military bases
More Texas women sue the state over its anti-abortion laws
New NC abortion restrictions become law as legislature overrides Gov. Cooper's veto.
Anti-trans bills in Texas and Florida - devastating consequences for LGBTQ teens
Sen. Fetterman Says Bailed-Out Bank Execs Should Have Work Requirements
Vietnam veterans welcomed home with commemoration marking war’s end
Civil rights groups warn tourists about traveling to Florida
Prevalence of Veteran Support for Extremist Groups and Extremist Beliefs: Survey
ADVOCACY
How service dogs can help Veterans with PTSD
Community backs vets in fight against PTSD, suicide
Veterans Crisis Line End-of-life planning with VA
Stars and Stripes - Transition Guide - May 18, 2023
VA’s mission to better serve all Securely accessing your VA account online
Talk data to me: Know your privacy rights and keep your personal info safe
Social media, the safe way How smart are your devices?
What the end of the Public Health Emergency means for VA
Access Veterans’ records at National Archives or National Personnel Records Center
Blue Star Museums - Blue Star Families
Blue Star Museums: Frequently Asked Questions
The program is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and thousands of museums across the country.
Resources, networking and other top tips to help you land a VA job
Work at VA–Leverage our resources to land a job at VA, where you’ll serve those who served by providing them with the care they deserve.
WATCH “Talk About It Tuesday”, a glimpse into serving Veterans on LinkedIn
LEARN more about navigating the hiring process.
SEARCH for job openings at VAcareers.VA.gov.
VA Family Caregiver Assistance Program VA Caregiver Support Program
Free career guidance for Veterans from America’s top companies
Veterans to Farmers determined to expand farming opportunities for women Veterans
Veteran Readiness And Employment (Chapter 31)
Same mission, new I-DEA: VA supports inclusion, diversity, equity, and access
Help VA make its digital tools more user-friendly Veteran Usability Recruiting Project
Update: Overseas Military Service Coordinators
Overseas Military Service Coordinators (OMSCs) have extended virtual support operations to overseas Veterans, Service members, and their dependents. They will respond to emails and arrange phone interviews for assistance with all VA benefits.
Send your contact information to the email address listed for your location to set up a virtual appointment with an OMSC.
Veterans residing in European countries: [email protected]
Veterans residing in Asian countries: [email protected]
Germany Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) office: Ms. Phyllis Barnes, a US Army Veteran, is the new Officer in Charge (OIC) for the Germany Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Intake Site located at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC).
Contact: [email protected] For time-sensitive inquiries please call
DSN: 314-590-8200 Comm: 06371-9464-8200. Staff hours: 8:00 am to 4:40 pm
Intake site hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00AM - Noon and 1:15PM - 3:00PM (CET)
“As we continue the sacred work of building a more perfect Union together, let our flag serve as a reminder to us, and to the world, that America stands for and strives for promise of freedom, justice, and equality for all.” –President Joe Biden
JUNE
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
History of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
June 2 – Mindfulness Meditation 11:00 am to 12 noon ET offered via telephone:1-404-397-1596 or 1-833-558-0712 (Toll Free) Access code: 433 794 55
no registration required-for more information Email [email protected].
June 4 to 9 – Challenge, adventure awaits Veterans at 2023 VA Summer Sports Clinic
San Diego – www.summersportsclinic.va.gov
June 5 to 11 – International Museum Week 2023, celebrating its10th anniversary, will take place both online and offline and explore the important theme of the environment.
June 5 – World Environment Day #BeatPlasticPollution- 50th anniversary
June 6 – D-Day
June 6 – NJ STATE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
June 7 – Career Fair: Virtual Or In-Person 11:00 am-3:00 pm ET (Multiple Locations)
June 8 – World Oceans Day
June 12 – Women Veterans Day
June 14 – Army Birthday
June 14 – U.S. Flag Day 
June 11 to 17 – National Flag Week
June 17 – DA VMF Caucus Meeting link 17:00 EDT, PW: dems, Mtg # 23106061838
June 17 – Bunker Hill Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
June 20 – VA STATE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
June 23 – Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday 84th birthday
June 27 – PTSD Awareness Day
Upcoming DA Activities
Elections calendar - Ballotpedia
MEMORIAL DAY 2023
 Ambassador to Luxembourg Tom BarrettDA Luxembourg Chair Lynette Stoltzfus |
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Luxembourg American Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony May 27, 2023
The DA Germany Veterans and Military Families Caucus (VMF) continued the tradition of laying a wreath at the Luxembourg Memorial Day Ceremony in collaboration with DA Luxembourg. The DA Luxembourg officers also organized a wonderful city tour!
 DA Luxembourg Counsel Will Bakker |
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 Lt. Gen. John D.Lamontagne |
At the American Cemetery in Draguignan, France
Aaron Ambeau, Chapter Chair, DA Marseille and Susan Fitoussi, DA VMF Caucus at the American Cemetery in Draguignan, France
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DA Central Italy attended the Memorial Day Ceremony
at the Florence American Cemetery in Impruneta.
WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?
At Budget Hearing, Tester Rings Alarm on Defaulting on Veterans
Sens. Moran, Tester’s Bill to Deliver Annual Cost-of-Living Increase for Veteran..
New bill aims to expand mental health care for military families
Senate GOP votes down bill calling on VA to study marijuana as PTSD remedy
H.R.2729 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act of 2023–A bill to establish a commission to study how Federal laws and policies affect United States citizens living in foreign countries.
Ask Your House Representative To Join The Americans Abroad Caucus
Democratic Claims of Veterans' Health Care Cuts in GOP Debt Limit Bill
Testimony: Challenges with VA’s New System Call for Management Improvements
Veterans' Affairs House Committee Votes to Send Seven Bills to House Floor
Review of the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and 2025 Advance Appropriations Requests...
Hearing to Consider Pending Legislation - U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Veterans Consumer Protection: Preventing Financial Exploitation of Veterans…
VETERANS’ ISSUES
Health:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Statistics: 2023 Update
PTSD Bytes: Personal experiences with PTSD: AboutFace
PTSD VA Ratings: What You Need to Know Veterans who experienced traumatic events during their service may be able to receive disability compensation with non-taxed monthly payments and free health care, including specific PTSD treatment.
Healing From PTSD: Art And Expression As A Treatment Modality
What Is Art Therapy? Types, Benefits And More
The Way Back: Songs of Healing by VA Veteran Nurses.
If you're a veteran, military, or family member interested in our program or looking for help, we're here for you! Contact - Freedom Sings USA
Foreign Medical Program (FMP) - Community Care A healthcare benefits program for U.S. Veterans residing or traveling abroad with a VA-rated, service-connected disability.
Foreign Medical Program Video
Veterans have access to acute suicide care, but who is eligible?
Suicide prevention: How to bring up the tough questions
Suicide prevention and LGBTQ+ Veterans
He Is a Veteran With a Disability -- But Not Technically a Disabled Veteran
How women Veterans can learn about VA health care services
VA services for pregnant Veterans
Download the VA Women’s heaRT Handbook Training Materials
Provisions of the comprehensive Cleland-Dole Act
New VA practice simplifies care for Veterans
Challenges of respiratory health of deployed Veterans
DEAN-Health care innovation: Meeting Veterans where they are
VA-Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning
The Veterans Integrated Service Networks
Veterans’ health care in the U.S. is separated geographically into 18 regions that work together to better meet local health care needs and provide access to care for Veterans.
VA renews EHR contract, higher penalties for performance metrics missed by vendor
Live Whole Health #169: Relax, refresh, recharge
Live Whole Health #170: Chair yoga for the heart
Live Whole Health #171: Rocks and pebbles
Education:
Veteran Bystander Intervention Training
Training program paves the way to contracting specialist jobs at VA
House VA committee to weigh restoring GI Bill benefits for defrauded veterans
American Red Cross offers free lifesaving skills training for volunteers
The American Red Cross also offers a 30% training discount for military, military families, Veterans and Veteran families for American Red Cross-sponsored classes on www.redcross.org/take-a-class. Code: MILITARYCOMMFY23 Expires 6/30/2023
Veteran Recognition:
Exeter firefighter and veteran on mission to put spotlight on PTSD
Can making art help with depression and PTSD? Science is finding out
WWII veteran Eugene Brown turns 100
WWII veteran shares his story to remind people the importance of democratic values
Harry Belafonte, World War II Navy Veteran, has died at age 96
MOVE! program transformed the health of Army Veteran
Marine Corps Veteran receives Purple Heart… 55 years later
A museum curator has volunteered for 25 years, giving 10,494 hours
Filipino veterans honored with congressional gold medals in California
U.S. House Office of Photography
Click here for our Spotlight Step Up for PTSD Awareness - Virtual Walk
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 June 17 at 14:00 EDT. PW: dems Meeting No. 23106061838
SUGGESTION BOX
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Do you have a suggestion or comment? Let us know: [email protected]
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Connect with us on Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military! |
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Editor: Terese Sarno (Germany) |
Veterans and Military Families Caucus Chair: Kee Adams Evans (Guatemala) |
“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.” –Michael J. Fox