Whereas more than 2,000,000 individuals serve as members of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the reserve components of the Armed Forces; Whereas several hundred thousand members of the Armed Forces have served in more than 200 countries in every region of the world; Whereas more than 2,000,000 members of the Armed Forces have deployed to the area of operations of the United States Central Command since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; Whereas, for nearly 20 years following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, members of the Armed Forces deployed throughout Afghanistan, and their service and bravery helped protect the United States from further terrorist attacks; Whereas the United States is kept strong and free by the loyal military personnel from the total force of the Armed Forces, which includes the Active Duty components, the National Guard, and the Reserves, who protect the precious heritage of the United States through their declarations and actions; Whereas the United States remains committed to providing the fullest possible accounting for personnel missing from past conflicts ranging from World War II through current day conflicts; Whereas members of the Armed Forces serving at home and abroad have courageously answered the call to duty to defend the ideals of the United States and to preserve peace and freedom around the world; Whereas members of the Armed Forces are called upon to be deployed on short notice to support, reassure, and defend allies and partners of the United States, and to deter adversaries around the world; Whereas the United States remains committed to easing the transition from deployment abroad to service at home for members of the Armed Forces and the families of the members; Whereas members of the Armed Forces personify the virtues of patriotism, service, duty, courage, and sacrifice; Whereas the families of members of the Armed Forces make important and significant sacrifices for the United States