10 Veterans Day Quotes to Reflect On

As Americans, we have it so good that it can sometimes be easy to take many of our freedoms for granted. But Veterans Day is a reminder each year to take the time and reflect on the sacrifices that are made by our military men and women and their families to ensure our protection and freedom.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with the political decisions that determine the United States’ military actions, the fact of the matter is that these men and women are ready and willing to do what they are told to help protect this country, and they should always be shown respect and thankfulness. The truth of the matter is that these soldiers put their lives on the line for the rest of us, and they shoulder a burden that many of us will never truly understand. As Jose Narosky, an Argentinean notary public and writer, once said, “In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” In fact, on this Veterans Day alone, 18 veterans will die by their own hands, a sad statistic that reflects how many feel the need to take their own life to escape the pain that they carry with them.

So, as we all take a moment to reflect and thank those who have dedicated their lives to this great country, here are some famous quotes that draw attention to just how much we owe these service men and women.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot."

Gary Hart

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

Elmer Davis

“Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.”

George S. Patton

“In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.”

Mark Twain

"Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them."

Napoleon Bonaparte

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"

Maya Angelou

“Congress should stop treating veterans like they're asking for a hand out when it comes to the benefits they were promised, and they should realize that, were it not for these veterans, there would be nothing to hand out.”

Nick Lampson

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.”

G.K. Chesterton

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

Cynthia Ozick