Weekly News Roundup: October 13, 2024

A look back at some headlines we read this week (October 6, 2024 – October 13, 2024). There’s a lot to process this week with the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel, along with the devastation of both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. We’re also less than a month from Election Day.

1. War rages on multiple fronts as Israel marks a year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack (Associated Press, October 7, 2024). A year since Hamas’ surprise cross-border attack, the war in Gaza rages on, even as Israel fights a new war against Hezbollah, escalating its bombing campaign in Lebanon the past three weeks. There is also a mounting conflict with Iran — which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah — that threatens to drag the region into an even more dangerous conflagration.

2. A Pentagon Debate: Are U.S. Deployments Containing the Fighting, or Inflaming It? (New York Times, October 4, 2024). This is a really important and thoughtful discussion about the impact of our loved ones’ deployments to the Middle East. Military officials discuss whether sending more force to the Middle East is helping to prevent a much wider war, or emboldening Israel.

A few days later, Military Times published an OpEd from a retired Marine General about base posture in the Middle East to deter Iran. We recommend reading, To deter Iran, US must rethink military basing in the Middle East (Military Times, October 10, 2024).

3. Biden and Netanyahu Speak for the First Time in Months as Mideast Crisis Deepens (New York Times, October 9, 2024). Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III was reported to be “angry beyond words,” one administration official said, because the absence of clear advance notice about the attacks in Lebanon put the lives of Americans in the Middle East at risk.

4. 500 more active-duty troops to aid Hurricane Helene relief efforts (Military Times, October 7, 2024). Another 500 active-duty troops are headed to North Carolina to help with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, after state officials requested more high-tech equipment and trained personnel to help with ongoing search and assistance efforts there. The move, announced by the White House on Sunday, brings the total number of Defense Department personnel deployed to the southeast United States for hurricane response to 7,600 troops, from 18 different states.

 The active duty and National Guard response to Hurricane Milton was swift and impressive. Luckily, military bases in Florida fared better than expected after Milton.

5. We are closely monitoring lawsuits in several states challenging military and overseas ballots. Lawsuits have been filed in Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina concerning the validity of “uniform and overseas voters”, AKA UOCAVA voters. There are OUR voters, our community under attack. Please stay tuned as we continue to monitor and take action to defend our right to vote. “The latest method of voting to fall into the political crosshairs is the way overseas voters cast their ballots – including members of the military stationed abroad.” (ABC News, October 13, 2024).

October 10 was World Mental Health Day

As we all know, the military community presents unique and exacerbating mental health challenges. Please take care of yourselves and one another.

• Easier said than done, but here are some mental health tips: Take care of yourself. Connect with others. Practice relaxation. Practice gratitude. Spend time in nature.
• Visit Military OneSource for mental health resources: “Just as physical fitness is a central part of military life, good mental health is as important for your well-being, and military and family readiness. There are lots of resources available to help anyone who is struggling with mental health challenges.”
• If you or a loved are in crisis, call the Veterans / Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 for immediate support.

Less than 30 days until Election Day!

1. Make sure you’re registered to vote. Check here!
2. You should have received your ballot by now if you’re a UOCAVA voter (military or overseas U.S. citizen)! UOCAVA absentee ballots were sent out starting September 21, in accordance with law. If you have not received your ballot yet, call or email your local election office and figure out why. If you need help, let SFI know, and we can assist.
3. Finalize your voting plan.
   • Voting by mail? Voting early? Voting by drop box? Voting in-person day of?
   • What times are polls open? Where is your voting location? Check here!
   • Do you have to take time off work? What will you do if lines are long? Do you have childcare?

Make sure you’re registered in time! Some voter registration deadlines have already passed, and more are coming up.

• Registration deadlines that have passed as of October 12: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois (Mail), Indiana, Louisiana (In person and mail), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada (Mail), New Mexico (Mail and online), North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico (Online), Rhode Island, South Carolina (Online), South Carolina (Mail), Tennessee, Texas.
• Upcoming deadlines:
  • October 15: District of Columbia, Louisiana (Online), Maryland (Mail and online), Minnesota (Mail and online), New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia (Mail and online), West Virginia.
    

Vote early in person if possible. Some states have already begun. Check your local election office for time and location details.

• You can vote in person in the following states: Arizona, California, Guam, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Wyoming.
• Early voting begins:
  • October 14: Virgin Island
  • October 15: Georgia