Happy Memorial Day Quotes:

Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.

- Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers

topic: Memories, Fighting, Glory, Memorial Day Messages, Memorial Day Poems

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

source: George William Curtis (1894). “On the principles and character of American institutions, and the duties of American citizens, 1856-1891”

topic: Loyalty, Country, Memorial Day, Independence Day Patriotic, July 4

The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.

- Minot Judson Savage

source: Minot Judson Savage (1884). “Poems of modern thought”

topic: Death, Memorial Day, Sleep, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.

- Joseph Rodman Drake

topic: Country, Memories, Light, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Poems

I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.

- Lee Greenwood

source: Song: God Bless The U.S.A, Album: American Patriot

topic: Army, Proud, Proud To Be An American, Independence Day Patriotic, July 4th 1776

The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.

- Benjamin Disraeli

topic: Memories, Hero, Names, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

There is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy of her citizens cannot cure.

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

topic: Love, America, Energy, Inspirational Presidential, Presidents Day

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

topic: Inspirational, Memorial Day, Freedom, Memorial Day Poems, True Freedom

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

- George Washington

topic: War, 4th Of July, Patriotism, Memorial Day Poems, Great War

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

topic: Country, Memorial Day, Hero, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation's wars.

- John M. McHugh

topic: Memorial Day, War, America, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

Memorial Day isn't just about honoring veterans, its honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that's a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it.

- Pete Hegseth

topic: Country, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day Messages, Memorial Day Poems

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

- John F. Kennedy

source: Inaugural Address, 20 Jan. 1961

topic: Inspirational, Memorial Day, Freedom, Inaugural Speech, Independence And Freedom

I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism.

- Bob Riley

topic: Memorial Day, Sacrifice, Long, Memorial Day Poems, Memorial Day Soldiers

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation!

- Thomas William Parsons

source: Thomas William Parsons (1866). “The magnolia [verse].”, p.29

topic: Memorial Day, Fall, Rain, Memorial Day Messages, Memorial Day Poems

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.

- Benjamin Harrison

source: Benjamin Harrison (1893). “Public Papers and Addresses of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States. March 4, 1889, to March 4, 1893”

topic: Uplifting, Memorial Day, Military, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

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

- Jeff Miller

topic: Thanksgiving, Country, Veterans Day, Memorial Day Messages, Memorial Day Poems

Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life.

- Bob Marley

topic: Memorial Day, Freedom, Military, Love Freedom, Independence And Freedom

All we have of freedom All we use or know This our fathers bought for us Long and long ago

- Rudyard Kipling

topic: Uplifting, Memorial Day, Freedom, Independence Day Patriotic, July 4

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast, And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

topic: Memorial Day, Names, Honor, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Poems

They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation.

- Henry Ward Beecher

topic: Memorial Day, Clouds, Memorial, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Poems

With the tears a Land hath shed. Their graves should ever be green.

- Thomas Bailey Aldrich

topic: Memorial Day, Land, Tears, Memorial Day Messages, Memorial Day Poems

The modern patriotism, the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism is loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it.

- Mark Twain

source: "The Czar's Soliloquy". Essay by Mark Twain, first published in The North American Review, No. DLXXX (p. 324), March 1905.

topic: Inspirational, Country, Memorial Day, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

- Nathan Hale

source: Before being executed as a spy by the British, 22 September 1776, in Henry Phelps Johnston 'Nathan Hale, 1776' (1914) ch. 7.

topic: Inspirational, Life, Country, Independence Day Patriotic, American Revolution

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

- James Bryce

topic: Country, Memorial Day, Strong, I Am Strong, Memorial Day Heroes

Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

- Barry Goldwater

source: Speech accepting nomination for president at Republican National Convention, San Francisco, Cal., 16 July 1964

topic: Freedom, Gay, Justice, Memorial Day Poems, Memorial Weekend

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.

- William J. Clinton

topic: Memorial Day, Freedom, America, Inaugural, Inaugural Speech

On Memorial Day, I don't want to only remember the combatants. There were also those who came out of the trenches as writers and poets, who started preaching peace, men and women who have made this world a kinder place to live.

- Eric Burdon

topic: Memorial Day, Men, World, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Weekend

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

- Maya Angelou

topic: Veterans Day, Women, Hero, Fireman, Women Equality

Memorial Day this year is especially important as we are reminded almost daily of the great sacrifices that the men and women of the Armed Services make to defend our way of life.

- Robin Hayes

topic: Memorial Day, Sacrifice, Men, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Messages

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

- John F. Kennedy

source: Inaugural Address, 20 Jan. 1961

topic: Inspirational, Inspiring, Country, Inaugural Speech, Independence Day Patriotic

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree.

- Thomas Campbell

source: Thomas Campbell, J. Logie Robertson (1884). “The Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Campbell”, p.215, Ardent Media

topic: Uplifting, Memorial Day, Freedom, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Poems

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.

- Joseph Campbell

topic: Inspiring, Courage, Veterans Day, Something Bigger Than Yourself, Inspirational Military

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

source: "Memorial Day Order" by John A. Logan, www.cem.va.gov. May 5, 1868.

topic: Uplifting, Memorial Day, People, Memorial Day Poems, Memorial Day Weekend

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

- George S. Patton

source: Speech at the Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, on June 07, 1945. "Patton, ordeal and triumph". Book by Ladislas Farago, 1963.

topic: Death, Wisdom, Memorial Day, Someone Who Is Dying, Inspirational Condolences

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.

- Billy Graham

topic: Motivational, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Inspirational Courage, Memorial Day Heroes

What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them.

- Henry Ford

topic: Uplifting, Memorial Day, America, Memorial Day Messages, Happy Memorial Day

They fell, but o'er their glorious grave Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.

- Francis Marion Crawford

topic: Memorial Day, Causes, Graves, Banner, Memorial Day Poems

I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually. I think all theories are suspect, that the finest principles may have to be modified, or may even be pulverized by the demands of life, and that one must find, therefore, one's own moral center and move through the world hoping that this center will guide one aright.

- James A. Baldwin

topic: Country, Moving, Thinking, Memorial Day Poems, Modern Warfare

137 years later, Memorial Day remains one of America's most cherished patriotic observances. The spirit of this day has not changed - it remains a day to honor those who died defending our freedom and democracy.

- Doc Hastings

source: FaceBook post by Doc Hastings from May 28, 2013

topic: Memorial Day, Military, Patriotic, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Thank You

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

- Arthur Ashe

source: "Worth Repeating: More Than 5,000 Classic and Contemporary Quotes" by Bob Kelly, p. 169, 2003.

topic: Courage, Hero, Army, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Remembrance

Then imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.

- William Shakespeare

source: 'Henry V' (1599) act 3, sc. 1, l. 1

topic: Memorial Day, War, Adversity, Memorial Day Messages, Battle Cry

Green sods are all their monument; and yet it tells A nobler history than pillared piles, Or the eternal pyramids.

- James Gates Percival

source: James Gates Percival, Erasmus Darwin North (1859). “The poetical works of James Gates Percival”, p.286

topic: Memorial Day, Pyramids, Green, Memorial Day Remembrance, Memorial Day Weekend

I would rather be remembered by a song than by a victory.

- Alexander Smith

topic: Song, Singing, Victory, Be Remembered By, Singing Songs

Spirit, that made those heroes dare To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

topic: Memorial Day, Children, Hero, Memorial Day Heroes, Military Memorial

True patriotism isn't cheap. It's about taking on a fair share of the burden of keeping America going.

- Robert Reich

topic: Memorial Day, America, Remembrance, Fair Share, True Patriotism

Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay, but we can honor their sacrifice.

- Barack Obama

topic: Memorial Day, Hero, Sacrifice, Memorial Day Heroes, Memorial Day Soldiers

All gave some, Some gave all.

- Billy Ray Cyrus

source: Song: Some Gave All, Album: Some Gave All, 1992

topic: Happy Memorial Day, Honoring Memorial Day

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility.

- William Shakespeare

topic: Peace, Humility, Men, Memorial Day Messages, Dear Friend