There are a few times of the year when it’s extra important to show your patriotism—and Veteran’s Day is certainly one of them. And with all that's going on in the world and our country, it's important to remind ourselves to show appreciation for the men and women of the U.S. military. Originally deemed Armistice Day in 1919 to honor those who served in the first World War, this holiday later expanded to recognize all veterans, and in 1938 was deemed a national holiday. Now, Nov. 11 is devoted to thanking the millions of veterans who dedicated their time, efforts, and spirits to keeping our country safe.
There really is no sacrifice is too small to be honored and recognized, and though words don't seem to do their services justice, these patriotic Veteran's Day quotes are a good place to start. Read on for the best Veteran's Day quotes and sayings that embody the resilient spirit of the holiday. And don't forget to thank the ordinary people who did something extraordinary by serving our country. And to learn more about these American heroes, check out 23 Slang Terms Only Veterans Know.
Happy Veterans Day Quotes To Say Thank You
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"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
— Abraham Lincoln
"It's about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It's about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits that they've earned when they come home. It's about serving all of you as well as you've served the United States of America."
— Barack Obama
"On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free."
— Dan Lipinski
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
— John F. Kennedy
"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!"
— Sun Tzu
"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"
— Maya Angelou
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."
— Joseph Campbell
"Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility."
— Eleanor Roosevelt
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
— Elmer Davis
"The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude."
— Jeff Miller
"Heroes are made by the paths they choose not the powers they are graced with."
— Brodi Ashton
"It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."
— Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
"He loves his country best who strives to make it first."
— Robert G. Ingersoll
"There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country."
— Nick Lampson
“America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job tat hand.”
—Harry S. Truman
"We will not tire, We will not falter, We will not fail."
— George W. Bush
"The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree."
—Thomas Campbell
"Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don’t know how far we can go."
— Bernard Malamud
"Better than honor and glory, and history’s iron pen, was the though to duty done and the love of his fellow men."
— Richard Watson Gilder
"Fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor."
— Michael N. Castle
"Caring for veterans shouldn't be a partisan issue. It should be an American one."
— Jennifer Granholm
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
— Winston Churchill
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
— Cynthia Ozick
“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
— Bob Dylan
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”
— Billy Graham
"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
— José Narosky
"Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called."
— Bill Shuster
"Caring for our veterans is the duty of a grateful nation."
— Patty Murray
“We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.”
— Francis A. Walker
“Our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it's marked by the blood of those who died defending it.”
—John Thune
