Memorial Day is one of the most solemn federal holidays in the United States. It’s a day to remember and respect those who have died while serving in the military.

The national holiday honors individuals who gave their lives in battles throughout history, including the Civil War, World War II, and more recent conflicts. Many of us gather as a community to watch parades, pay our respects at memorials, or throw barbecues or picnics with friends and family. This remembering focus is common to other similar holidays.

The perfect words can help create a moment, whether you’re arranging an event to honor our dead warriors on Memorial Day or you’re searching for something to share with loved ones. Here are some of our favorite Memorial Day greetings and message ideas for your invitations, greeting cards, and decorations.

Messages to Send on Memorial Day

Here’s some inspiration for your Memorial Day cookout or event invitations if you’re organizing one this year. These Memorial Day message alternatives, which include a combination of shorter and longer messages, are the ideal approach to reflect the spirit of the celebration in your cards or invitations.

• Thank you to all of the brave men and women who have given their all.
• Let us remember those who lost their life bravely.
• As we remember and respect our heroes, please join us.
• Let us take advantage of today to be grateful and proud.
• On Memorial Day, we honor our country’s heroes.
• We wish you a relaxing and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.
• Today, we remember those who gave so much for us.
• This Memorial Day, let us commemorate our fallen service men with pride.
• We pay tribute to those who have given us our freedom as a group.
• On this Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who have died.

Memorial Day Quotes of Honor

An inspirational or comforting remembrance phrase is sometimes required for a card or party decoration. These Memorial Day quotes honor those servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while also honoring their legacy.

• “May we never forget that freedom isn’t free.”
• “In memory of many, in memory of all”
• “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”
• “Never forget, ever honor”
• “Fallen, but not forgotten”
• “Our flag doesn’t fly because the wind moves it, but because of the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
• “We come not to mourn our dead heroes but to praise them.”
• “Home of the free because of the brave”
• “We stand for the flag, we kneel for the fallen.”
• “All gave some, some gave all. Remember them this Memorial Day.”
• “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Famous Quotes for Memorial Day

With Memorial Day being such an important part of culture, it’s no surprise that a growing collection of statements from renowned leaders and celebrities has sprung up. These Memorial Day quotations can be used as a striking greeting on one side of your invitation or as a tribute underneath your event information.

• “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” – Harry S. Truman
• “For the love of country they accepted death, and thus renounced all debts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” – James A. Garfield
• “Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.” – Barack Obama
• “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell
• “No arsenal, or no weapons in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” – Ronald Reagan
• “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
• “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
• “The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” – George S. Patton, Jr.
• “How important it is for us to recognize our heroes and she-roes.” – Maya Angelou
• “Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” – G.K. Chesterton
• “What I can do for my country, I am willing to do.” – Christopher Gadsden
• “Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.” – Elie Wiesel
• “Heroes never die. They live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who would follow in their footsteps.” – Emily Potter
• “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.” – Sun Tzu
• “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
• “The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller

Quote to take away

“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge