Next VMF Caucus Meeting:
July 11, 2026, at 7am Eastern Time
All are welcome!
Dems Abroad in Kenya: The VMF Caucus Shows Up
The Veterans and Military Families (VMF) Caucus had a strong showing at the Democrats Abroad Global Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya last month.
Chair Michael Ramos presented virtually on the VMF Caucus, walking over 200 in-person and online attendees through who we are, the work we do, and why military-connected voters living overseas matter to the broader Democrats Abroad mission. Check out the presentation here.
Vice Chair Libby Jamison attended in person and joined a panel on organizing around the globe, sharing the value of caucuses for building and mobilizing communities. Outside the sessions, Libby also made time to experience Kenya, soaking in the country’s stunning landscapes and wildlife and coming away with a deep appreciation for its beauty and its people.
Together, VMF leadership put a visible face on the caucus at Democrats Abroad’s biggest gathering, connecting with other members from around the world and reinforcing that veterans and military families have a critical voice in the organization.
What’s VMF Been Up to Lately?
Color With Us: VMF Coloring Pages for All Ages
These days, sometimes the best thing you can do is step away from the news for a little while. Coloring won't fix what's broken with our country, but it can give you a quiet moment to breathe, to sit with your kids, and to take care of yourself before you get back to the work that matters.
VMF is proud to share a collection of free coloring pages to download. Print them, color them, share them with the veteran and military families in your life.
And share them with us; we’d love to see the final product! Send your pics to [email protected] or share in our VMF Signal chat.
Tell Congress:
Stop Leaving Military Families Overseas
Without Healthcare
Americans serving and living abroad are facing a healthcare crisis which Congress has largely ignored. In Japan, more than 100,000 military members and 10,000 DoD employees have no guaranteed access to emergency care on base. At least 14 Americans have died since 2021 after being turned away, including a 7-year-old child of a Marine who was refused care with a U.S. military hospital just 9 minutes away. In Germany, the largest U.S. military hospital outside the States suspended labor and delivery services in March 2026, leaving pregnant spouses to navigate a foreign system on their own.
This is a massive quality of life issue for military-connected families, but it’s a readiness and national security issue too. Families hit with foreign medical debt become financially vulnerable, and a workforce that doesn't trust the government to care for them is harder to recruit and retain. Here's how you can help:
- Contact your members of Congress, especially if they sit on the House or Senate Armed Services Committee. A list of who sits on that committee - Republicans and Democrats - is in the link, if you’re unsure. Ask them to hold oversight hearings, direct DoD to act, and pass legislation guaranteeing access to care.
- Sign the petition
- Share this with anyone who cares about military-connected families!
Get all the details on our Take Action page
VMF Members in Action
VMF Steering Committee Member Terese Sarno (DA Germany)
meeting her U.S. Senator Ed Markey.
VMF encourages all of our members to communicate with their elected lawmakers, whether it's by phone, email, or in person.
Have You Requested Your Ballot Yet?
The 2026 midterms are not a drill. Congress controls VA funding, DoD policy, the defense budget, and so many important pieces of legislation that touch our community.
Federal law gives us the right to vote in these elections, but you have to register and request your ballot.
Go to VotefromAbroad.org
today to request your ballot!
Already requested your ballot?
Good! Now help us make sure every veteran and military family member
in our global community does the same.
Sign up here to volunteer with us to get out the vote and more!
Step Inside the VMF Virtual Museum
No tickets needed for this museum! The VMF Virtual Museum features exhibits exploring both current issues and the rich history of the community that defines our caucus. Each display tells a story, and there's more than meets the eye: click on any exhibit and swipe through to uncover additional pages and deeper content.
Ready to explore? Use the link or scan the QR code to start your visit.
Are You Following Us?
Be sure to connect with the VMF Caucus on all our channels to join the conversation:
Resources and Support
The weight of this moment is real. As the conflict in Iran continues to play out across the region and we watch fellow military families experience loss and disruption, many in this community who carry the burden from decades of war and sacrifice are feeling that weight resurface in ways that are hard to put into words.
If you have the capacity, check in on a fellow veteran or military family. A simple “I’m here” or “I’m stressed too” can mean more than you know. If you are struggling, please reach out to the confidential resources below.
- 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
Military OneSource provides free, confidential non-medical counseling and resources for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and their immediate family members. Support is available worldwide. You can call from overseas or access live chat and resources at MilitaryOneSource.mil.
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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The VMF Caucus has a membership of over 1,400 members located in dozens of countries and proudly consists of veterans, military family members, Department of Defense civilians, other national security professionals, and strong allies of our causes.