Recognizing the patriotism and contributions of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers.
This House Resolution (H. Res. 222) is a non-binding expression of Congress recognizing and honoring the patriotism and contributions of veterans service organizations (VSOs), veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers. It highlights their long-standing support for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families through financial aid, services, and advocacy. The resolution notes a wide range of activities—everything from financial assistance and support for homeless veterans to hospital visits, scholarships, and welcome home events—and underscores the essential ceremonial role these groups play in honoring fallen service members through funeral honors and related ceremonies. It also mentions the obligation under federal law (as amended) for the Department of Defense to provide funeral honors on request. The resolution concludes with four statements urging recognition, public commendation, increased awareness, and voluntary service modeled after these organizations. In effect, the bill is a ceremonial, symbolic measure to publicly acknowledge and encourage ongoing support for veterans and their families, with no new duties, mandates, or funding for government agencies.
Key Points
- 1Recognizes the patriotism and extensive contributions of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers to the United States, both domestically and abroad.
- 2Outlines a broad set of activities these groups undertake, including financial aid (rent, utilities, food), stand-downs for homeless veterans, food drives, hospital visits, scholarships, advocacy, and welcome home/send-off events.
- 3Highlights the ceremonial and supportive roles these groups provide, such as military honors ceremonies for fallen veterans and their families, and volunteers who assist at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
- 4Acknowledges that auxiliary units (family members and descendants of veterans) collectively number over 1,000,000 members and contribute to fundraising for causes such as cancer research.
- 5Encourages the public to promote awareness of these organizations’ contributions and to participate in volunteering, following their example.