Memorial Day is a time to appreciate the sacrifices of those that came before us, so we have put together a list of all the best Memorial Day quotes for your next post. And if you’re looking for patriotic Memorial Day sayings for Instagram, we also have you covered.
Now go ahead and browse through to find your favorite.
Memorial Day Quotes
“No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his body, to risk his well-being, to risk his life, in a great cause.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“Only lay down true principles, and adhere to them inflexibly.” — Thomas Jefferson
“The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for comes with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism.” — Barack Obama
“Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.” – John Dickinson
“The way to be patriotic in America is not only to love America, but to love the duty that lies nearest to our hand, and to know that in performing it we are serving our country.” — Woodrow Wilson
“Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed by the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.” – Lucian Adams
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – -John Quincy Adams
“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” – Mary Roach
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis
“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” — Napoleon Hill
“Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?” — George Washington
“There is one thing that the American people always rise to and extend their hand to and that is the truth of justice, and of liberty, and of peace.” — Woodrow Wilson
“The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree.” — Thomas Campbell
“May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!” – Sen. Daniel Webster
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill
“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.” — Michel de Montaigne
“True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant and earnest striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
“A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle, and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” — George William Curtis
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain
”Courage, dear heart.” – C.S. Lewis
“Who kept the faith and fought the fight; the glory theirs, the duty ours.” – Wallace Bruce
“The more comfort, the less courage there is.” – Aleksandr V. Suvorov
“The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity — unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity.” — Henry Clay
“Americans may not only pay tribute to our honored dead but also unite in prayer for success in our search for a just and lasting peace.” — John F. Kennedy, “Prayer for Peace,” Memorial Day 1962
“What’s right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity – intellect and resources – to do something about them.” – Henry Ford
“A very few, as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men, serve the State with their consciences also, and so necessarily resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated by it as enemies.” — Henry David Thoreau
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” — Thomas Paine
“Democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to an untiring effort.” — John F. Kennedy
“Unless our conception of patriotism is progressive, it cannot hope to embody the real affection and the real interest of the nation.” — Jane Addams
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell
“I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American!” — Daniel Webster
“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
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” — Edward Abbey
“The great end of all human industry, is the attainment of happiness. For this were arts invented, sciences cultivated, laws ordained, and societies modelled, by the most profound wisdom of patriots and legislators.” — David Hume
“In valor there is hope.” — Tacitus
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” – Gen. Douglas MacArthur
“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” — Bob Dylan
“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” — Benjamin Disraeli
“Think about the past and consider the sacrifices men and women in the military have made for us.” – Gary G. Wetzel
“It is not what we have that will make us a great nation; it is the way in which we use it.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” – Cynthia Ozick
“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
“Courage is found in unlikely places.” — J.R.R. Tolkien
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” – Anonymous
“I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism.” – Bob Riley
“Someday, I hope that we will all be patriots of our planet and not just of our respective nations.” — Zoe Weil
“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
“I got to fight on till I leave here, and I hope I leave some footprints.” — Mattie Jones
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” – Mark Twain
“True patriotism isn’t cheap. It’s about taking on a fair share of the burden of keeping America going.” – Robert Reich
“We must dare to be great.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” – G.T. Shedd
“The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot J. Savage
“I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.” — Thomas Jefferson
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic.” – John A. Logan
“Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.” — Colonel David Hackworth
“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.” — George Washington
“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.” — W.E.B. DuBois
“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” — Abraham Lincoln
“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” — Benjamin Franklin
“True patriots measure themselves not by personal wealth or power but by the degree to which they contribute to the community.” — Eric Liu
“You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” – Brene Brown
“It is the flag just as much of the man who was naturalized yesterday as of the man whose people have been here many generations.” — Henry Cabot Lodge
“We are a nation of many nationalities, many races, many religions bound together by a single unity, the unity of freedom and equality.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Our own heart, and not other men’s opinions, forms our true honor.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
“True patriotism, it seems to me, is based on tolerance and a large measure of humility.” — Adlai Stevenson II
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou
“He loves his country best who strives to make it best.” – Robert G. Ingersoll
“Freely we serve, because we freely love, as in our will to love or not; in this we stand or fall.” — John Milton
“I see that the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down.” — Douglas MacArthur
“Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.” – Franklin P. Jones
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”― Thomas Campbell
“The essence of patriotism lies in a willingness to sacrifice for one’s country, just as true greatness finds expression, not in blessings enjoyed, but in good bestowed.” — William Jennings Bryan
“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.” – Gen. George S. Patton Jr.
“America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” – Harry S. Truman
“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” — James Allen
“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” – John F. Kennedy
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” — Nathan Hale
“Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“You will never do anything in this world without courage.” – Aristotle
If you like these, you might also want to check out our other lists of Patriotic Quotes, Memorial Day Letter Board Quotes, Memorial Day Sayings, Memorial Day Captions and Short 4th of July Quotes.
Patriotic Memorial Day Sayings
Peaceful skies, thankful hearts
This Memorial Day, let’s pay tribute to the heroes who gave everything for our nation. Their courage and sacrifice will always be remembered.
Remember their stories; cherish their lives
Liberty’s guardians
Courage lives on
Heroic hearts remembered
Forever indebted to our fallen heroes
Happy Memorial Day! May we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Stars, stripes, and everything nice
Service
United we stand in tribute
Freedom isn’t free, today we remember
United we stand, honoring the courage of fallen heroes
May their courage live forever in our hearts
This Memorial Day, we’re thankful for those who gave their lives while serving. And we’re thinking of those who have lost someone they love. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Gratitude looks beautiful on us
A toast to the brave every day
Tailgates, tributes, and big brave hearts
Freedom is the thread in the fabric of our nation
Let freedom ring… after this burger, please!
Flavor of freedom: BBQ sauce.
Gathering in memory of the soldiers who dreamed of home
May the spirit of Memorial Day remind us of the price of freedom and inspire us to live with gratitude and compassion.
In honor of the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. May their courage inspire us to live with purpose and gratitude.
Sun’s out, guns out… and by guns, I mean hot dogs.
Glory lives forever
Reflecting on the true meaning of freedom
Camo coolers and comic relief.
Tanks a lot to our troops!
Every day, we enjoy the freedom they fought for
For those who served with valor, our respect is eternal
Gratitude to the brave for the peace we enjoy
Memories of valor
BBQ and freedom, that’s my kind of party
Grateful for the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Today, we remember and honor their selfless service.
Everything you do today of your own free will, do it in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives to make it possible.
Grill, baby, grill!
With pride, we remember their undying spirit
Honoring the heroes who served to hold our flag high
Liberty blooms in our hearts today
Reflecting in the glow of the brave
Honor sparkling brighter than fireworks
Silent prayers for the voices we miss
Kicking off summer with remembrance and respect
Yesterday’s heroes, today’s inspiration
Hot dogs and honor!
Remember and honor
Heroes live forever in the land they protected
Popping gratitude like we pop fireworks
Proud to be an American
Their bravery writes the history of our nation
Eternal gratitude
Remembering courage, celebrating valor
Salute to the fallen
Roll out the red, white, and brew
Their stories are echoes of true patriotism
Footsteps of heroes, paving the path of freedom
A day to reflect on courage and sacrifice
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die
Sunsets that promise a free tomorrow
Their courage writes our history. Thank you, heroes
Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed
Bold stripes, bright stars, brave hearts
Freedom isn’t free
Honoring the brave, always in our hearts
Their legacy lives on
Honoring the courage that protects our tomorrows
A toast to those who gave us today
Brave hearts never fade 🇺🇸
Bravery and sacrifice – the American way
Sea to shining sea of gratitude
Memorial Day is a great day to enjoy time with friends and family, but the holiday has a deeper meaning. So today, let’s remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Whispering thank you to the winds
Saluting the guardians of our freedom
No words, just honor
To the brave men and women who gave their lives protecting our freedom: We are forever in your debt. We thank you. We proudly remember you.
Freedom never looked so good
Peace is the gift from those who fought tirelessly
Freedom isn’t free. Today, we remember and thank those who died defending our liberty. Their courage echoes through time.
To all our fallen heroes: your legacy lives on forever in the memory and heart of the nation.
Barbecues with a side of bravery
Serving sass and remembrance.
Liberty and hashtags for all
A silent salute to our nation’s finest
Waves of patriotism over calm waters
Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Today, we celebrate service, sacrifice, and selflessness. We can never bring back our fallen soldiers, but we can honor them in our daily actions.
Remember
Bravery never fades. Neither does our remembrance
Our silent prayers for the sentinels of peace
Celebrating liberty and memories for life
Cheers to the red, white, and brew!
Gratitude for the ones who paved our way
Freedom rings louder today
Peace was their mission, memory is their reward
We walk in the light of their incredible sacrifice
Sacrifice that never goes out of fashion. Forever honored
Gratitude never ends for those who gave all
Marching to the beat of the snack table.
A toast to the ones who gave it all
Heroes reside in our history and hearts
Wearing my pride like it’s the new summer trend
Every star in our flag narrates a story of valor
Remember, rejoice, reflect. Thanking those who served
Heroes never fade, their legacy is eternal courage
Our hearts remember what our eyes have never seen
A day to remember in full color
Land of the free because of the brave
Remembering the heroes we’ve lost
Our memories as deep as the ocean
Home of the free because of the brave
Soft murmurs of freedom’s song
Remembering the heroes with every wave of the flag
The land of the free, because of the brave
Peace, thanks to the brave
Valor
Picnics with a side of patriotism!
Enjoy the day with your loved ones, and don’t forget to think about those who served and sacrificed. Happy Memorial Day!
Battles may end, but legends live on forever
Stars, stripes, sacrifice
Land of the free, because of the brave
Never miss a moment to thank a hero
Celebrating the spirit of American heroism
Liberty looks good on you, America
Remembering those who gave everything for liberty
Always remember, forever grateful
For love of country, they accepted the call
Blue skies painted with valor
Never forget, forever grateful
On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives so we could live free.
Flipping burgers and saluting heroes.
Serving up a double dose of patriotism and charm
Heroes never die; they live on in our memory
Honoring the brave, one pun at a time.
Grateful every day
Reflecting on courage, commitment, and sacrifice
We express gratitude for the bravery of the fallen American soldiers. Wishing everyone a Memorial Day filled with reflection and appreciation for our heroes.
Land of the free, because of the extraordinary
Today and every day, we’re inspired by the bravely of our own beloved sons and daughters who served our country fearlessly.
Red, white, and blue, through and through
Family, fireworks, and freedom giggles.
Some gave all for our tomorrow
Bravery is the inheritance we received from our heroes
Love for the nation, built on the sacrifices of heroes
Beaches, bashes, and bravado!
Saluting the brave with a side of slaw.
Wrapped in the flag, carried by our hearts
Home of the free, because of the brave. Today, we honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and to their families.
United we stand
Remembering the brave, in the land of the free and the home of the brave
Gratitude to every service member, past and present
Every end of the day is a tribute to their new dawn
To the protectors of our nation’s heart, we salute you
Heroes make this view possible
Gallantry and sacrifice: the threads of our nation’s fabric
For the heroes
Pride and remembrance
Sunscreen and solemnity? Only on Memorial Day.
Remembering every hero who selflessly shed their patriot’s blood for our freedom. May their sacrifices be a constant reminder of the cost of liberty.
To the guardians of liberty, we owe our today
Saluting the brave, one Instagram post at a time
In reverence for those in eternal patrol
Floaties and fightin’ spirit!
A salute to those who gave it all for freedom
Honoring the stars of our stripes
Walking freely because of those who walked before us
Counting our blessings, naming them one by one
Stripes and stars in the summertime breeze
Homage to the brave
Forever indebted to the warriors of liberty
Old glory, timeless beauty
Our stars shine because of the stars we lost
Their legacy lives on in our freedom
Land of the free, home of the clever captions
Memorial Day: More like Yes-Terday!
A small tribute to those who gave everything
In their honor, we stand united and strong
The land of free, home of the courageous
Did you know Memorial Day has been observed since 1868? We’re proud to continue honoring and remembering those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.
Stars, stripes, and belly laughs!
Remembering with pride and honor
So that is it for our list of Memorial Day Quotes and Sayings. We hope you found the perfect one!
About the Author
Laynni Locke
I am Laynni Locke, a Canadian writer, reader and traveller with a passion for sharing life’s moments on social media. Keeping friends and family in the loop of our lives though photos and videos has become an essential activity for most.
And it doesn’t matter if you are travelling, celebrating a special occasion or just appreciating day-to-day life, when you take that perfect photo you are going to need the perfect caption or quote before you share it. Which is why we started Routinely Shares, providing comprehensive lists of quotes and captions to cover every occasion, adventure or loved one.
With extensive experience as a travel writer, social media specialist and grant writer, I have made it my mission to curate the best and easiest to use lists for your next post.