SRES 272119th CongressIntroduced

A resolution expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June as "Veterans Get Outside Day".

Introduced: Jun 11, 2025

HealthcareVeterans Affairs

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This Senate resolution expresses support for designating the second Saturday in June as “Veterans Get Outside Day.” It frames the designation as a way to promote veterans’ mental health by encouraging outdoor activity, citing data on traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, depression, and veteran suicide. The resolution asks the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to coordinate and promote Veterans Get Outside Day in conjunction with National Get Outdoors Day. As a resolution, it is a symbolic endorsement and does not itself create funding, new programs, or legally binding requirements.

Key Points

1Designation: The second Saturday in June would be designated as “Veterans Get Outside Day.”
2Purpose: To promote the mental health benefits of outdoor recreation for veterans and reduce isolation and distress by encouraging outdoor activity.
3Evidence cited: Statistics on traumatic brain injury, PTSD, depression, and veteran suicide, and research suggesting nature exposure can improve mood and mental health.
4Coordination and promotion: Calls for collaboration among the VA, the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior to promote Veterans Get Outside Day alongside National Get Outdoors Day.
5Context: Aligns with existing efforts to connect veterans with nature, including free admission to national parks/forests and the Forest Service’s National Get Outdoors Day.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Veterans and transitioning service members, particularly those experiencing PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, or anxiety; mental health outreach within veteran communities.Secondary group/area affected: Federal land management and veterans affairs agencies (VA, Forest Service, DOI) through coordination and promotional activities; outdoor recreation and public lands outreach.Additional impacts: Increased public awareness of veteran mental health issues; potential partnerships with veterans’ organizations and non-profits; no new funding or mandatory programs are created by this resolution.

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