Whereas for nearly a century, veterans service organizations have served as a complementary and integral part of supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families; Whereas since their inception, veterans service organizations have proudly supported members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and the families of those who have served, volunteering millions of hours and raising billions of dollars; Whereas veterans service organizations have representatives in all 50 States, territories, and abroad; Whereas auxiliary units of veterans service organizations have more than 1,000,000 members and are composed of wives, widows, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and granddaughters of veterans, as well as veterans themselves; Whereas veterans service organizations have raised money to aid and enhance the lives of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families through financial support—providing assistance with essentials such as rent, child care, utilities, and food; Whereas veterans service organizations host stand-downs that focus on providing vital health and support services to homeless veterans; Whereas veterans service organizations strengthen their local communities by conducting food drives, visiting hospitals, and providing scholarships to youth; Whereas veterans service organizations serve as advocates for veterans and their families; Whereas veterans service organizations conduct welcome home and send-off events for members of the Armed Forces; Whereas section 1491 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 578 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 ( Public Law 106–65 ), directed the Department of Defense to provide every veteran, upon request, a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two uniformed service members, a flag ceremony, and the playing of Taps