[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 479 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 479

       Recognizing Veterans Day 2014 as a special ``Welcome Home 
Commemoration'' for all who have served in the military since September 
                               14, 2001.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 19, 2014

  Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
       Recognizing Veterans Day 2014 as a special ``Welcome Home 
Commemoration'' for all who have served in the military since September 
                               14, 2001.

Whereas the United States, pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military 
        Force (Public Law 107-40), commenced a war against individuals 
        responsible for the 9/11 attacks;
Whereas in the intervening 13 years, members of the United States Armed Forces 
        have engaged in warfare around the globe, especially in Iraq and 
        Afghanistan;
Whereas there have been 2,600,000 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and more 
        than 500,000 soldiers have completed multiple tours;
Whereas over 110,000 sailors have deployed as individual augmentees in support 
        of the war ashore and additional sailors have deployed on navy vessels 
        serving over 180,000 days at sea, providing power projection, regional 
        stability, and global presence;
Whereas over 238,000 airmen have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and more than 
        201,000 airmen have deployed to the Area of Responsibility, delivering 
        flights in support of the war effort;
Whereas over 330,000 marines have deployed afloat and ashore, ensuring peace in 
        some of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq and Afghanistan;
Whereas, between January 1, 2000, and January 10, 2014, 287,911 cases of 
        traumatic brain injury (TBI), often referred to as a signature wound of 
        the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, were diagnosed among members of the 
        Armed Forces, and approximately 7,100 cases were classified as severe or 
        penetrating;
Whereas of the members of the Armed Forces who have been deployed to Iraq and 
        Afghanistan since October 2001, more than 6,800 have been killed in 
        action and more than 52,000 have been wounded in action;
Whereas United States Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn combat 
        military operations in Iraq are complete and United States direct 
        military operations in Afghanistan will end in 2014 as the United States 
        transitions to a training and assistance role;
Whereas the sacrifices of United States servicemembers and their families during 
        the last 13 years should be recognized by all citizens of the United 
        States;
Whereas November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of hostilities in 
        World War I, and Veterans Day has been a legal holiday since May 13, 
        1938, when it was originally dedicated as ``Armistice Day'' to honor 
        veterans of World War I and was subsequently amended to honor United 
        States veterans of all wars in 1954; and
Whereas November 11th is the day for the Nation to reflect on the service and 
        sacrifice of every generation of veterans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes Veterans Day 2014 as a special ``Welcome 
        Home Commemoration'' for all who have served in the United 
        States Armed Forces since September 14, 2001;
            (2) promotes awareness of the services and contributions of 
        all post-9/11 veterans; and
            (3) encourages communities in the United States to plan 
        activities for Veterans Day 2014 to honor and support all who 
        have served during this time and to provide citizens of the 
        United States an opportunity to present unified recognition of 
        the service and sacrifices of post-9/11 veterans.
                                 <all>