This resolution formally honors the service, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to care for all members of the Armed Forces and their families who served during the war in Afghanistan.
Jefferson Van Drew
Representative
NJ-2
This resolution formally recognizes and honors the service, sacrifice, and dedication of all members of the Armed Forces who served in the war in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. It specifically remembers those who lost their lives, including the 13 service members killed during the final withdrawal. Furthermore, the bill expresses profound gratitude to all veterans and their families, reaffirming the government's commitment to providing them with necessary support and care.
Congress Formally Honors Afghanistan Veterans, Reaffirming Duty to Provide Care and Support
This Congressional Resolution is straightforward: it serves as a formal, high-level acknowledgment of the service and profound sacrifice made by the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in the War in Afghanistan between October 7, 2001, and August 30, 2021. The resolution specifically recognizes the over 800,000 service members who deployed during those two decades, the 2,461 who died, and the more than 20,000 who were wounded. It also makes a point to express gratitude to Gold Star families—the spouses, parents, and children of the fallen—for their immense contributions and loss.
The Cost of Service, Acknowledged
For veterans of the Afghanistan conflict, especially those dealing with long-term physical or mental health issues like PTSD or traumatic brain injuries (TBI), this resolution offers formal recognition from the legislative branch. While it doesn't create new programs or funding, it powerfully validates the magnitude of their service. It’s Congress saying, on the record, that they see the sacrifice, including the tragic loss of 13 service members during the final withdrawal at Abbey Gate in August 2021.
Reaffirming the Promise of Care
Perhaps the most practical takeaway for veterans and their families is the resolution’s final push. It explicitly reaffirms the continuing requirement for the Federal Government to provide timely support, care, and recognition to Afghanistan veterans and their families. Think of it as a formal reminder to the agencies—like the VA—that the commitment to care is non-negotiable. For a veteran trying to navigate the VA system for disability claims or mental health treatment, this legislative statement reinforces the government’s moral and legal obligation to deliver on that support. It’s a message that the commitment made during their service continues today.