45 Inspiring Veterans Day Quotes to Express Your Gratitude in 2025

Each year on November 11, we set aside time to honor our nation’s veterans. Despite the bustling holiday season approaching, Veterans Day remains an important date on our calendar—a day when we pause to salute America’s greatest patriots who have served in the military. This solemn occasion calls for meaningful expressions of gratitude toward those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

In 2025, Veterans Day falls on Tuesday, November 11. As with every year, you can expect banks, government offices, post offices, and many schools and businesses to close in observance of this significant federal holiday. To help commemorate this special day, we’ve gathered inspirational Veterans Day quotes that truly capture the depth of sacrifice made by our servicemen and women throughout history.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect words to include in a card, social media post, or simply to express your appreciation in person, these quotes from presidents, military leaders, and notable figures offer powerful ways to say “thank you” to the veterans in your life and community.

Presidential Veterans Day Quotes

Our nation’s leaders have often delivered some of the most powerful words about service and sacrifice. These presidential quotes capture the essence of gratitude toward those who have served our country.

Woodrow Wilson

“Never before have men crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own but knew was the cause of humanity and of mankind.”

Barack Obama

“In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country, can change it.”

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.”

John F. Kennedy

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

Ronald Reagan

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran doesn’t have that problem.”

George H.W. Bush

“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.”

Military Leaders on Service and Sacrifice

Those who have led our armed forces understand the true meaning of service. Their words carry special weight when honoring veterans.

General Norman Schwarzkopf

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

General Douglas MacArthur

“Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.”

General George S. Patton

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

“They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation.”

Patriotic Quotes on Freedom and Liberty

Veterans have fought to preserve our freedom and liberty. These quotes honor that noble cause.

Marquis de Lafayette

“Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.”

Nick Lampson

“There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country.”

James Bryce

“Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.”

Albert Camus

“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

“If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

Quotes on Courage and Bravery

Military service requires extraordinary courage. These quotes celebrate the bravery of those who have served.

Emma Donaghue

“Scared is what you’re feeling. Brave is what you’re doing.”

Ruth Gordon

“Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.”

Mark Twain

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”

Maya Angelou

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

Quotes on Gratitude for Veterans

Expressing gratitude is at the heart of Veterans Day. These quotes help us articulate our appreciation.

Jeff Miller

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

Cynthia Ozick

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

Bernard Malamud

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

Claudia Pemberton

“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.”

Elmer Davis

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

Simple Thank You Messages for Veterans

Sometimes, the simplest expressions of gratitude are the most meaningful. Here are straightforward messages to share with veterans.

• “Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Have a wonderful Veterans Day!”
• “Thank you for your courage and dedication. May you have a meaningful and joyful Veterans Day.”
• “Because of your service, we enjoy the freedoms we hold dear. Thank you for all you’ve given us.”
• “Happy Veterans Day! Your bravery and dedication inspire us all. Thank you.”
• “Thank you for your commitment to freedom. Happy Veterans Day!”
• “Wishing you a peaceful and proud Veterans Day. Thank you for your courage.”
• “Happy Veterans Day! My deepest thanks to you today and always. We’re forever grateful for your service.”
• “Sending heartfelt thanks to those who have served this country. Your courage and sacrifice make us proud.”
• “Thank you for fighting for our freedom! Your dedication to protecting our nation will always be cherished.”
• “The sacrifices you’ve made have shaped our country’s future. We honor your service today and always.”

Understanding Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time to honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces, whether in wartime or peacetime. Unlike Memorial Day, which specifically honors those who died while serving, Veterans Day pays tribute to all military veterans who have served our country honorably during war or peacetime.

The holiday originated as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all American wars.

Ways to Honor Veterans on Veterans Day

There are many meaningful ways to show appreciation for veterans beyond sharing quotes:

• Attend a Veterans Day parade or ceremony in your community
• Visit a VA hospital or veterans’ home
• Write letters of appreciation to veterans or active-duty service members
• Support veterans’ charities and organizations
• Display the American flag properly
• Take time to listen to veterans’ stories
• Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. to commemorate the armistice
• Volunteer with organizations that support veterans

Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans Day

Q: What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

A: Veterans Day pays respect to all those men and women who have served in the U.S. military, while Memorial Day specifically honors those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Q: When is Veterans Day celebrated?

A: Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week it falls on. This date marks the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.

Q: How should I thank a veteran for their service?

A: A sincere “thank you for your service” is always appreciated. You can also express gratitude through cards, letters, or small gestures of kindness. Many veterans appreciate hearing specifically what their service means to you personally.

Q: Do all businesses close on Veterans Day?

A: Not all businesses close, but federal offices, banks, and post offices typically observe the holiday. Many restaurants and businesses offer special discounts or free items to veterans on this day as a token of appreciation.

Q: How can I support veterans throughout the year?

A: Support can take many forms: volunteering with veterans’ organizations, donating to charities that assist veterans, advocating for veterans’ issues, hiring veterans in your business, or simply checking in on veteran friends and family members regularly.

This Veterans Day, let’s all take a moment to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. Whether through sharing these meaningful quotes or taking action in your community, showing appreciation for veterans is a meaningful way to honor their contributions to our freedom and way of life.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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