82 Veteran’s Day Quotes to Honor our Heroes

These Veteran’s Day quotes will help you honor the sacrifices made for our country by our heroes.

Tell us which quote resonated with you the most in the comment section below.

Veteran’s Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 to honor our military veterans for their service to the country.

It is a day to salute our heroes for the sacrifices they made for our nation.

The origin of Veterans Day can be traced back to World War I.

The Armistice with Germany, which formally ended the war, went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

That is the origin of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day.

While Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service, Veterans Day honors all American veterans, living and dead.

These Veteran’s Day quotes will help you:

• understand the difference between the two holidays
• help you express your appreciation for our armed service members
• gain perspective on what veterans might have experienced in the military

It takes tremendous courage for a soldier to risk it all to protect his/her country.

The least we civilians can do is to offer thanks to these extraordinary men and women.

In that respect, here are some inspirational and patriotic Veteran’s Day quotes to help you honor them.

Veteran’s Day quotes to honor our heroes

1. “Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.” – Charles B. Rangel

2. “The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller

3. “Spending time with America’s soldiers is always inspiring.” – John Boehner

4. “Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don’t know how far we can go.” – Bernard Malamud

5. “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis

6. “He loves his country best who strives to make it best.” – Robert G. Ingersoll

7. “America’s veterans embody the ideals upon which America was founded more than 229 years ago.” – Steve Buyer

8. “Support our troops!” we cry, but I say, “Love our veterans!” And when he neglects church, take him cookies anyway. Sing him a song. Pet his cat.” – Chila Woychik

9. “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

10. “This is a day we remember the toil, of the blood and the battle on far distant soil. Lest we forget – lest our memories should fade, ’twas our boys that we lost, ’twas a high price they paid.” – Greta Zwaan

Veteran’s Day quotes to say thank you to our military.

11. “The reward of one duty is the power to fulfill another.” – George Eliot

12. “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

13. “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou

14. “It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” – Norman Schwarzkopf

15. “For the veteran, thank you for bravely doing what you’re called to do so we can safely do what we’re free to do.” – Unknown

16. “To The Veterans of the United States of America
Thank you, for the cost you paid for our freedom, thank you for the freedom to live in safety and pursue happiness, for freedom of speech (thus my book), and for all the freedoms that we daily take for granted.” – Sara Niles

17. “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell

18. “Peace has victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

19. “When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?” – George Canning

20. “When the peace treaty is signed, the war isn’t over for the veterans or the family. It’s just starting.” — Karl Marlantes

Veteran’s Day quotes to salute our heroes

21. “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill

22. “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” – Douglas MacArthur

23. “My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place–police, firefighters, and members of our armed forces.” — Sidney Sheldon

24. “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

25. “Caring for veterans shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It should an American one.” – Jennifer Granholm

26. “Twenty-five million veterans are living among us today. These men and women selflessly set aside their civilian lives to put on the uniform and serve us.” – Steve Buyer

27. “American without her soldiers would be like God without his angels.” – Claudia Pemberton

28. “In this Veteran’s Day we stop and are thankful for all those who have fought in wars so that we have may all enjoy our freedom. The bravery and risk that these men and women took will not be forgotten.” – Catherine Pulsifer

29. “But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, Is their monument to-day, and for aye.” – Thomas Dunn English

30. “In valor there is hope.” — Publius Cornelius Tacitus

Happy Veteran’s Day quotes

31. “There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” – Alexander Hamilton

32. “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

33. “The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.” – Judd Gregg

34. “America’s Veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world.”- John Doolittle

35. “In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” – Jose Narosky

36. “Better than honor and glory, and History’s iron pen, Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men.” – Richard Watson Gilder

37. “We gather to remember, to honor those who’ve died, and thank God for the veterans who still stand at our side.” – Greta Zwaan

38. “We owe an immeasurable debt to our veterans, to the fallen, and to the families who love them. Just as our servicemen and women have taken care of us, we must also take care of them. It is our sacred duty as a country to be there for our heroes when they need us most.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

39. “Today is the day we should reminisce for those who fought valiantly for the pride, honor, and freedom of our country. Happy Veteran’s Day!” – Unknown

40. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” — Patrick Henry

Veteran’s Day quotes to inspire and teach

41. Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

42. “Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.” – Bill Shuster

43. “I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.” – Gary Hart

44. “It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.” – Zell Miller

45. “Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” –  Douglas MacArthur

46. “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” – George Orwell

47. “Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families are making. Our Vietnam Veterans have taught us that no matter what our positions may be on policy, as Americans and patriots, we must support all of our soldiers with our thoughts and our prayers.” – Zack Wamp

48. “To those seniors, and especially elderly veterans like myself, I want to tell you this: You are not alone, and you having nothing to be ashamed of. If elder abuse happened to me, it can happen to anyone. I want you to know that you deserve better.” – Mickey Rooney

49. “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” – Cynthia Ozick

50. “We recognize and celebrate the heroes all of our veterans, we shall forever be grateful. You inspire and encourage us, your unselfishness, your courage, and your willingness to protect our freedom – no words can express our thanks.” – Kate Summers

Other patriotic Veteran’s Day quotes

51. “The thing we all had in common wasn’t muscle; it was the will to do whatever it takes.” — Chris Kyle

52. “America’s veterans deserve the very best health care because they’ve earned it.” — Jim Ramstad

53. “Americans never quit.” — Douglas MacArthur

54. “This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans.” — Thomas M. Smith

55. “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.” — Ronald Reagan

56. “These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor—and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror.” — Michael N. Castle

57. “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” – Nathan Hale

58. “On the occasion of Veteran’s Day, let us all remember the unconditional services of our veterans and let us come together to revive our promise to our nation to fulfill the obligations to all our veterans who gave their lives for the country. Warm wishes on this special day.” – Unknown

59. “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” — George Washington

60. “Today is the most special day…. for the brave men… living and dead… who have given their lives in the service of the nation without asking anything in return… let us remember their sacrifices and honor their services by celebrating Veterans Day.” – Unknown

61. “Beginner knows rules, but veterans know exceptions.” – Amit Kalantri

62. “Damn the wars but bless the soldier.” – T.L. Moffitt

Thought-provoking Veteran’s Day quotes

63. “While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, Americans must never forget the sacrifices that many of our fellow countrymen have made to defend our country and protect our freedoms.” – Randy Neugebauer

64. “Tragically, the effort to make America and the world safer and to defend freedom around the world is not without an enormous cost to this Nation in terms primarily of lost lives and those who bear the scars and the wounds of war, and their families who must bear these losses.” – John Warner

65. “Our soldiers have nobly fought to protect freedom since our country’s birth, and have fought to protect those that could not protect themselves, even in foreign lands when called upon.” – John Linder

66. “Soldiers, when committed to a task, can’t compromise. It’s unrelenting devotion to the standards of duty and courage, absolute loyalty to others, not letting the task go until it’s been done.” – John Keegan

67. “Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole.” – Bernard Law Montgomery

68. “On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.” – Dan Lipinski

69. “My father had many, many veterans over to the house, and the older I got the more I appreciated their sacrifice.” – Steven Spielberg

70. “To honor our national promise to our veterans, we must continue to improve services for our men and women in uniform today and provide long overdue benefits for the veterans and military retirees who have already served.” – Solomon Ortiz

71. “On Veterans Day, we take time to honor those men and women who bravely serve and have served our nation in the U.S. Armed Forces.” – Todd Tiahrt

72. “As a 22-year Army Veteran who served in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, and as a Civilian Advisor to the Afghan Army in Operation Enduring Freedom, I understand both the gravity of giving the order, and the challenge of carrying it out.” – Allen West

Inspirational veterans day quotes

73. “There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country.” – Nick Lampson

74. “The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree.” – Thomas Campbell

75. “I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism.” – Bob Riley

76. “Here men endured that a nation might live.” – Herbert Hoover

77. “The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot J. Savage

78. “Those that die for a good cause hover as a cloud of witnesses over the nation.” – Henry Ward Beecher

79. “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” – Lee Greenwood, “God Bless the U.S.A.”

80. “On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation!” – Thomas William Parsons

81. “Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.” – Wallace Bruce

82. “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” – Benjamin Disraeli

Which of these Veteran’s Day quotes was your favorite?

Our military veterans risked it all to protect the freedoms that we enjoy.

They accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.

Our heroes deserve recognition for their commitment and dedication to their country.

Hopefully, these quotes have inspired you to honor these great men and women with words of appreciation.

Did you enjoy these Veteran’s Day quotes?

Which of the quotes was your favorite?

Tell us in the comment section below, and please share these Veteran’s Day quotes on social media!