III 

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 

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to with an amended preamble 

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; 


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SRES 479 ATS 

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; 


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SRES 479 ATS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes Veterans Day 2014 as a special 

3 ‘‘Welcome Home Commemoration’’ for all who have 

4 served in the United States Armed Forces since Sep5 tember 14, 2001; 

6 (2) promotes awareness of the services and con7 tributions of all post-9/11 veterans; and 

8 (3) encourages communities in the United 

9 States to plan activities for Veterans Day 2014 to 

10 honor and support all who have served during this 

11 time and to provide citizens of the United States an 

12 opportunity to present unified recognition of the 

13 service and sacrifices of post-9/11 veterans. 

Æ 


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