| June 2025 |
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⭐Next VMF Meeting: June 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM ET on Webex⭐
Link to attend here; Meeting number 23020338998; password: dems
* VMF meetings are open to all DA members, and all VMF members are encouraged to attend *
Message from the Chair
Dear Colleagues:
I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to several VMF members this past month and learning more about them and their past or present military connections. For instance, one individual in France is now pursuing the service records of her military parent to learn more about his time in uniform. A gentleman in Costa Rica is enthusiastically advocating to his Member of Congress for the approval of H.R. 439 – VMF’s current legislative priority which would help thousands of service-connected disabled veterans living abroad. In Japan, another member is working hard to organize military voter registrations to ensure our voice is heard in upcoming elections.
I’m so inspired by the talent and commitment of VMF’s diverse membership! If you’re working on something that should be shared more broadly, I’d love to hear from you.
In the meantime, please make sure to check our “News and Opinions” section of the DA website, which we’re updating regularly with the latest on items relevant to the VMF community.
For questions, comments, or volunteering inquiries with VMF, the door is always open to you.
Always onward,
Michael Ramos
Democrats Abroad Global VMF Chair
Veteran & Military Family Member
Latest VMF News, Opinions & Events
Dems Abroad Statement: Democrats Abroad Elects New Global Leadership Team
VMF Member Opinion: Tribal Flags Should Be Immediately Restored For Public Display At VA Facilities
VMF Member Opinion: How Many More Victims of Camp Lejeune Poisoning Must Die Before Congress Wakes Up?
VMF Opinion: Statement on the Proposed Pershing Hall Resolution
VMF Member Opinion: Statement From The Chair On Military-Connected Deportations
Webinar (6/12/2025): The Guarantee of Birthright Citizenship
Webinar (7/17/2025): Artificial Intelligence (AI) Risks and Threats to National Security
…To view more of the latest VMF News & Opinions, please see here. Lots of great info!
Important messages update from the office of VA's Foreign Medical Program (FMP):
1) If you use a foreign bank account for your VA benefit payments, contact +1 918-781-7550 for assistance with setting up or updating international direct deposit information. Assistance is available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm U.S. Eastern Time. Visit VA Direct Deposit Information to get full details.
2) FMP's electronic funds transfer (EFT) payment capabilities are live and rolling out in a progressively elaborated manner. FMP-EFT payments will go to the current domestic (U.S.) bank accounts where veterans are already receiving their monthly VBA disability compensation payments. Approximately 1/3 of the entire FMP Veteran population is eligible to receive EFT payments now. The remainder will be migrated over the next 45 to 60 days. If an individual veteran wants personal confirmation that their FMP profile is set up for EFT payments now, please have them send a request to Ask.VA.gov to FMP’s escalation team.
FYI: For OCONUS veterans and VA beneficiaries, please note the VA will hold these two upcoming events
Link to register for the June 11 event here.
To register for the June 13 event, use the QR code in the image above.
VMF Volunteer of the Month: Anna Marie Mattson
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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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