25 Memorial Day Quotes for Your Patriotic Instagram Photos

Consecrating the final Monday of May as a national holiday, Memorial Day is a popular time for U.S. travelers and three-day-weekenders to venture away from home or just spend some downtime with loved ones.

But it’s much more than just a day off of work that marks the unofficial start of summer: Memorial Day is set apart to remember and honor the servicemen and women who lost their lives in defense of liberty and justice for all. Amid the patriotic celebrations of our country’s hard-won freedom, Americans take time to express and reflect on their perennial gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their fellow citizens.

Memorial Day 2019 is coming up on Monday, May 27. Honor the fallen heroes who died to protect our freedom with these 25 inspiring, patriotic, and thankful Memorial Day quotes.

Most Patriotic Memorial Day Quotes

“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” — Adlai Stevenson

“Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” — President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural address

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” — Nelson Mandela

“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” — Claudia Pemberton, Love Leaves No One Behind

“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 Drake

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” — unknown

“Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

—Francis Scott Key, “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Quotes About Feeling Thankful for Your Freedom

“Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” — President Herbert Hoover

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” — Albert Einstein

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

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better, whereas enslavement is a certainty of the worst.” — Albert Camus

“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

“To find yourself, think for yourself.” — Socrates

“Freedom means the opportunity to be what we never thought we would be.” — Daniel Boorstin, twelfth Librarian of the United States Congress

“We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.” — unknown

Memorial Day Quotes That Make Great Instagram Captions

“If you want to thank a soldier, be the kind of American worth fighting for.” — unknown

“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” — Mary Roach

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” — Douglas MacArthur

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” — Mark Twain

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

“We honor the dead best by treating the living well.” — Jennifer Granholm

“When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?” — George Canning

“Sometimes courage is nothing more than a willingness to think differently than those around you. In a culture of conformity, that’s braver than it sounds.” — Mary Roach

“Home of the free because of the brave.” — unknown

“I believe in America … because we have great dreams and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” — Wendell Willkie