S.Res. 479 — Introduced in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 479 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 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.