RECOGNITION OF MILITARY FAMILIES.

SEC. 581. RECOGNITION OF MILITARY FAMILIES.(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:(1) The families of both active and reserve component members of the Armed Forces, through their sacrifices and their dedication to the Nation and its values, contribute immeasurably to the readiness of the Armed Forces.(2) Without the continued support of military families, the Nation’s ability to sustain a high quality all-volunteer military force would be undermined.(3) In the perilous and challenging times of the global war on terrorism, with hundreds of thousands of active and reserve component military personnel deployed overseas in places of combat and other imminent danger, military families are making extraordinary sacrifices and will be required to do so for the foreseeable future.(4) Beginning in 1997, military family service and support centers have responded to the encouragement and support of private, non-profit organizations to recognize and honor the American military family during the Thanksgiving period each November.(b) Military Family Recognition.—In view of the findings in subsection (a), Congress determines that it is appropriate that special measures be taken annually to recognize and honor the American military family.(c) Department of Defense Programs and Activities.—The Secretary of Defense shall—(1) implement and sustain programs, including appropriate ceremonies and activities, to recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of the American military family, including families of both active and reserve component military personnel;(2) focus the celebration of the American military family during a specific period of each year to give full and proper recognition to those families; and(3) seek the assistance and support of appropriate civilian organizations, associations, and other entities (A) in carrying out the annual celebration of the American military family, and (B) in sustaining other, longer-term efforts to support the American military family.