| September 2025 |
 |
⭐ Next VMF Meeting: September 13, 2025 at 7:00 AM ET on Webex ⭐
Link to attend here; Meeting number 23142700163; password: dems
VMF meetings are open to all DA members, and all VMF members are encouraged to attend.
Message from the Chair
Team VMF—
First off, a big shout-out to all the first responders in the U.S. who are doing everything they can to help our fellow citizens affected by floods such as those in Texas. If anyone knows of any veterans stateside who may be impacted by the floods or other disasters, please share these resources with them.
Secondly, please note that among our membership is an amazing individual on our leadership team who is, in fact, VA-accredited and is willing and able to assist veterans and other VA beneficiaries living abroad with their claims. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to get connected – those VA benefits, health care, and services are for you!
So, what has VMF been up to? In short, A LOT. We’re supporting efforts to create new VMF Caucus chapters in both Austria and Italy. We’re supporting a campaign to encourage kids to read books that the Department of Defense banned from military schools. We’re evaluating Democratic state and local candidates running for elected positions in 2025 to see which individuals will earn VMF's endorsement. VMF's Steering Committee is analyzing and discussing various pieces of legislation with congressional offices that impact the military-connected community living abroad. And more.
As we approach the November elections and the 2026 midterms, it’s time to start thinking about getting-out-the-vote (GOTV) strategies and actions related to voting from abroad. Whether you can spare 5 minutes or 5 hours, VMF has a place for you where your time is valued. If you’d like to get involved, reach out to us.
I’d also like to reiterate VMF’s stance on legislative measures, our candidate endorsements, and news relevant to the VMF community. Please make sure you’re following us on social media (see below for links).
Michael Ramos
Democrats Abroad Global VMF Caucus, Chair
Veteran and Military Family Member
Get Out the Vote! (GOTV)
September 9, 2025: Special Election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. VA-11 voters must return their ballot by mail, and it must be postmarked by September 9 and received in Virginia by September 12 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
 |
 |
In addition, we are fast approaching the following additional important dates:
September 23, 2025: Special Election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. VMF has endorsed Adelita Grijalva and encourages all voters in AZ-7 to support her candidacy.
November 4, 2025: State elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and the Special Election for Texas’s 18th Congressional District. VMF has endorsed Mikie Sherrill for NJ Governor, Michael Feggans and Shane Boswell for VA State House, and Abigail Spanberger for VA Governor.
If you haven’t already done so for 2025, please request your ballot from VoteFromAbroad.org to get your home state ballot emailed to you at least 45 days before an election.
VMF Updates
Statement from the VMF Chair and Vice Chair regarding the June 24th Congressional Hearing on the Federal Voting Assistance Program
VMF Member Opinion: A Sad Day For America When Veterans Get Excluded From SNAP, Medicaid
VMF Statement in Memoriam of Democrats Abroad Member Gene Gerth
VMF Member Opinion: Trump Administration Shamefully Refuses To Recognize And Honor Women Veterans
VMF Member Opinion: Whether The Administration Cares To Admit It, All Federal Agencies Contribute To Our National Security
VMF Member Opinion: PA State And Local Races This November Are Too Important To Ignore
New Podcast Episode: Marine Veteran and Chair of NM’s VMF Caucus Chats with VMF about Issues and 2026 Elections
New Podcast Episode: A Shout-Out To Democrats Abroad Spain For Creating A New VMF Caucus!
VMF Advocacy: Military Families Resist! VMF Encourages All Kids To Participate In The “Uncensor My Summer” Campaign
VMF Education: Visiting the U.S. Anytime Soon? Be Sure to Check Out These Museums of Particular VMF Interest
VMF Education: Interested In Sharing Your Military Story With The Veterans History Project, But Not Sure Where To Start? VMF Can Help.
***To view (lots!) more of the latest VMF News Articles & Opinions, please see here.
Legislative Updates
MAGA’s #1 priority, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed Congress in July and was signed into law. If your legislators voted to oppose it, follow up with them with a thank-you note. However, if they voted in favor of it, they need to hear from you that you are disgusted with their support for that terrible bill. How did your legislators vote? See the Senate vote result here, and the House vote result here.
Need some fresh Democrats Abroad gear? Click here: https://democratsabroadmerchandise.com/collections/all
Are you following us on social media?
Be sure to check out VMF’s podcast and movie recommendations! And if you haven’t checked it out already, be sure to visit 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]
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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
Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend?
Click here to register with the DA VMF Caucus and receive our e-newsletter straight to your inbox.
The VMF Caucus, proudly consisting of veterans, military family members, DoD civilians, and strong allies of our causes, has a membership of approximately 1,400 members located in dozens of countries.