; Whereas thousands of United States veterans of the Battle of the Bulge have traveled to Belgium and Luxembourg in the years since the battle to honor their fallen comrades who died during the battle; Whereas the peoples of Belgium and Luxembourg, symbolizing their friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers who fought to secure their freedom, have graciously hosted countless veterans groups over the years; Whereas Luxembourg has erected over 90 monuments and plaques commemorating the liberation of Luxembourg by United States Armed Forces during World War II; Whereas section 204 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 ( 38 U.S.C. 2409 note) authorized the Secretary of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial marker honoring those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge; Whereas the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 2019 will be marked by many commemorative events by citizens of the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, and many other nations; and Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Belgium and Luxembourg is strong today in part because of the Battle of the Bulge: Now, therefore, be it