FACT SHEET: Post 9/11 Veterans Welcome Home Resolution

Background: As the United States draws down its forces in Afghanistan after 13 years at war, it is more important than ever to recognize the men and women who served and sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 to protect our nation and way of life.

Every year, Veterans Day is the time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of all generations of veterans. The history of Veterans Day goes back to the Armistice that ended hostilities in World War I on November 11, 1918.  In 1938, November 11 was dedicated as Armistice Day to honor the veterans of that conflict, and in 1954 it was expanded to honor American veterans of all wars.

This year, we want to recognize Veterans Day, November 11, 2014, as a special “Welcome Home” commemoration for all who have served in the military since Congress passed the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Since then, more than two million men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan – many serving multiple deployments. As of today, 6,819 Americans have been killed in these conflicts, and 52,037 have been wounded.

2014 is a pivotal year to begin the process of proper commemoration as we draw down combat military operations in Afghanistan. By designating Veterans Day 2014 as a commemoration for all post-9/11 veterans, as well as those who continue to serve in Afghanistan in a training and assistance role, we can provide Americans across the country with an opportunity to come together in unified recognition of the service and sacrifice of this generation of veterans and their families. Despite the end of our combat mission in Afghanistan, the sense of duty of those servicemembers, and our commitment to them, endures.

We hope that passage of this bipartisan resolution will encourage American communities to plan activities for Veterans Day 2014 to honor our post-9/11 veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and promote awareness of the tremendous contributions these veterans have made to our nation.

This resolution:

• Recognizes Veterans Day 2014 as a Special “Welcome Home Commemoration” for all who have served in the United States Armed Forces since September 2001

• Promotes awareness of the service and contributions of all post-9/11 veterans

• Encourages communities in the United States to plan activities for Veterans Day 2014 to honor and support all who have served since 2001

• Provides citizens of the United States an opportunity to come together in unified recognition of the service and sacrifice of post-9/11 veterans

This resolution is supported by the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).