Every November 11, Americans pause to thank the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day honors all who served, in war and in peace, and a sincere thank-you can mean a great deal to a veteran in your life.
These Veterans Day quotes and messages were written by our editors for cards, social posts, school programs and workplace announcements. We also included two verified lines from Abraham Lincoln that are often read on the day.
Our editor’s top picks
- Thank you for your service, your courage and your sacrifice. We will never forget.
- To every veteran: our freedom carries your fingerprints. Thank you.
- Today we honor the brave hearts who answered the call.
- Grateful for those who served so we could live free.
- Thank you for standing watch so the rest of us could sleep in peace.
Short Veterans Day messages
For social posts and small cards.
- Thank you for your service.
- Honoring all who served.
- Brave then, honored always.
- Freedom isn’t free. Thank you.
- With gratitude to our veterans.
- Proud of those who served.
- Your service matters.
- Thank you, heroes.
Veterans Day messages for family members
For a dad, mom, grandparent or spouse who served.
- Dad, thank you for your service and for teaching us what honor means.
- Grandpa, your stories of service make our whole family proud.
- Mom, your strength in uniform inspires me every day.
- To my husband: thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
- To my wife: I’m so proud of the veteran you are.
- Thank you for the years you gave to our country and the love you give our family.
- Your courage is part of our family’s story forever.
- Today and every day, we honor you.
Veterans Day messages for coworkers and employees
Respectful words for workplaces.
- To our veteran colleagues: thank you for your service and your leadership.
- We are proud to work alongside those who served our country.
- Your discipline and dedication make our team stronger. Thank you.
- Today we honor the veterans on our team and in our community.
- Thank you for bringing the values of service to everything you do.
- With deep respect and gratitude on Veterans Day.
- Our company salutes every veteran who served.
- Thank you for your service then and your contributions now.
Veterans Day quotes for students and schools
Simple lines for classrooms and school programs.
- Veterans are everyday heroes who served for all of us.
- We say thank you to the people who kept our country safe.
- A hero is someone who serves others. Thank you, veterans!
- Freedom is a gift, and veterans helped protect it.
- Today we remember, respect and thank our veterans.
- Thank you for your bravery. We are grateful.
- Our class salutes every veteran.
- We learn about courage from those who served.
Verified quotes often read on Veterans Day
Public-domain lines from Abraham Lincoln.
- “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” — Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address (1865)
- “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (1863)
Frequently asked questions
How we put this list together: Messages are original lines by our editors, written with respect for all who served. The Lincoln quotes were checked against his published addresses. Written and reviewed by John Moler, editor at Graceful Names. See our editorial policy.
