40 Memorial Day Quotes to Share in Honor and Remembrance
Updated: May 24, 2022Honor the sacrifice of our heroic fallen with these words of wisdom that remind us of the true meaning of patriotism.
Honoring Memorial Day
While Memorial Day tends to herald the beginning of the summer season with barbecues, beaches, and the first sunburn of the season, the “holiday” is truly a day for mourning and honoring the military members who have fought and died for our freedom. Memorial Day 2022 falls on Monday, May 30, this year, and in order to prepare, you may want to figure out how to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed.
There are plenty of Memorial Day activities to participate in, Memorial Day movies to watch, and patriotic quotes to read, but the following list of Memorial Day quotes will help you honor the fallen soldiers (and express gratitude) in the way they deserve.
“Here men endured that a nation might live.” —Herbert Hoover
Get even more inspired by former leaders with these presidential quotes.
“We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.” —Theodore Roosevelt
If this inspired you, you’ll definitely want to read up on these strength quotes.
“Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as best he can, the same cause—honor to him, less only than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.” —Abraham Lincoln
If you’re looking to dress up your home for Memorial Day, check out these red, white, and blue Memorial Day decorations.
“Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well.” —Jennifer M. Granholm
Planning to go out this holiday? These are the restaurants open on Memorial Day.
“The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree.” —Thomas Campbell
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“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” —John F. Kennedy
Find out which stores are open this Memorial Day (and which will be closed).
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” —Aristotle
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“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” —Mark Twain
If you’re wanting to take a long weekend this holiday, these Memorial Day getaways should do the trick.
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
Don’t miss these Memorial Day furniture sales happening this holiday weekend.
“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.” —James Baldwin
“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” —G.K. Chesterton
“The legacy of heroes—the memory of a great name, and the inheritance of a great example.” —Benjamin Disraeli
“As we set today aside to honor and thank our veterans, let us be mindful that we should do this every day of the year and not just one.” —Beth Pennington
Learn the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day (if you don’t already know, you’re not alone).
“This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home. This is not Veterans Day, it’s not a celebration, it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom.” —Tamra Bolton
If you were looking for quotes geared more toward veterans, check out these Veterans Day quotes that honor those who served.
“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.” —William J. Clinton
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” —General Douglas MacArthur
Now that you’ve been inspired by these Memorial Day quotes, learn more about the history and significance of the Memorial Day poppy.
Additional reporting by Molly Pennington, PhD.
