Instagram Captions
When “thank you for your service” doesn’t feel like enough.
Veterans Day is upon us, and for many citizens, it’s a time to show gratitude to our nation’s armed forces, even if it’s in a small way. A quick post on social media with the perfect Veterans Day Instagram caption may not feel like much of a thank you, but it’s a nice way to show any vets in your network that you’re thinking of their sacrifices today.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says there are currently around 19 million veterans living in the U.S., so chances are you know at least one, but probably more. Some you may get to hug and thank in person, and others may be best reached via the good old internet.
If you want to take your thanks offline and into the real world, there are so many ways you can impact the lives of veterans and soliders alike. You could donate to an organization supporting disabled veterans, building homes for unhoused vets, and so much more.
But hey, even if all you do today is share a message of gratitude online, that’s something any vet will appreciate seeing as they scroll their feeds. So, time to choose the perfect Veterans Day Instagram caption for the job.
1
“For all that you did, for all we could not do, thank you.”
A simple thank you can sometimes go a long, long way.
2
“The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” — Minot J. Savage
Every veteran’s sacrifice not only contributed to keeping our nation safe, but has probably kept another soldier going through difficulty.
3
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis
This quote acknowledges that our country is what it is thanks to the brave people who keep it that way.
4
“Those that die for a good cause hover as a cloud of witnesses over the nation.” — Henry Ward Beecher
This quote reminds us that the veterans who gave their lives are watching, and it’s now our job to steward the country into the future.
5
“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.” — Charles B. Rangel
If you need a reminder of the real reason for this day, this quote is the perfect Instagram caption for Veterans Day.
6
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Veterans and active duty service members have fulfilled their duty to freedom, but Roosevelt’s quote reminds us that every citizen has a part to play in upholding our freedoms.
7
“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.” — Michel de Montaigne
These are the things that really keep our armed forces and veterans moving forward.
8
“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” — Thucydides
This one really says it all — so many veterans knew what was coming, and decided to serve anyway.
9
“Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don't know how far we can go.” — Bernard Malamud
Who knows what the United States would be like today if not for the brave veterans who fought for it along the way.
10
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” — George S. Patton Jr.
Thank you to service members of all kinds, including women, trans, and nonbinary veterans who may not feel seen in some of these older sayings.
11
“Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever, we will be thankful for all of your hardships, bravery, and sacrifices so that we may live free.”
Living free is a big deal, and its because of our veterans that we can.
12
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” — Joseph Campbell
Every veteran who has served gave a portion of their life to defending everyone else’s, so thanks is definitely deserved.
13
“The nicest veterans... the kindest and funniest ones, the ones who hated war the most, were the ones who'd really fought.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five
It makes sense: Those who've been through the reality of war know that it should be avoided at all costs.
14
“No matter the obstacle, no matter the risk, you were there, and for that I am grateful.”
We have so very much to be grateful for when it comes to our veterans.
15
“No man is left behind, and no citizen is left ungrateful. Thank you for your service.”
Soldiers have each others' backs, on and off the combat field.
16
“Freedom is never free.”
You've seen this quote many times, many places, but the truth behind it is unavoidable: Veterans paid a high price for the freedom we're all lucky to have.
17
“All gave some, some gave all, and we all give thanks for your heroism.”
This is a sweet quote that encompasses everything, from veterans who are no longer with us, to those who still carry the stories of their fellow vets on their shoulders.
18
“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
Kennedy's "Thanksgiving Proclamation" of 1963 was a stirring reminder: Veterans deserve our appreciation and support.
19
“We are Earth’s best, that learnt her lesson here. Life is our cry. 'We have kept the faith!’ we said; ‘We shall go down with unreluctant tread Rose-crowned into the darkness!’” — “The Hill” by Rupert Brook
Written in the beginning of the 20th century, this excerpt from Brook’s poem “The Hill” says it all. Into the darkness, veterans have gone bravely, all to protect those of us here in the light.
20
“Fac fortia et patere. Do brave deeds and endure.”
Nothing more true of veterans than this statement.
21
"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." ― Jose Narosky
A quote from his book The Paperbark Tree, Jose Narosky's words are tragically true, and so important to remember. There is so much more loss than physical loss in war, and our veterans deserve the utmost respect and care.
22
“For the few and the proud, from the many and the thankful, words cannot adequately express our profound gratitude for your service and dedication to our freedoms.”
Veterans are very much the few and the proud and the least we can do is take up the voices of the many and the thankful for them.
23
"He's still a soldier/ His blood runs red, white and blue/ He put away his gun and boots/ But he still believes The American Dream/ 'Til his last breath he'll always be a soldier/ He's still a soldier." — “Still a Soldier” by Trace Adkins
No matter how long it’s been since they were in the service, a veteran is still a veteran. And they will always, always be a soldier.
24
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” — G.K. Chesterton
Truer words have never been spoken about a veteran.
25
“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.” — Ronald Reagan
With love, from Ronald Reagan, to all the Devil Dogs out there.
26
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” — Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was right when he said we are forever in the debt of veterans.
27
“This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans.” ― Thomas M. Smith
Very few people truly know what it’s like to be a veteran and the scars it can leave behind. That’s why they deserve all the thanks we can give.
28
“Better than honor and glory, and History’s iron pen, was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men.” ― Richard Watson Gilder
Being a soldier has always had a large weight of significance, from the very beginning of time until now. Which means veterans have always earned the right to respect and honor.
29
“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
This quote from Arthur Ashe really says it all about why veterans are real-life heroes.
30
“We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”
Just because you don’t personally know a veteran doesn’t mean you can’t honor and celebrate them!
So, what will your Veterans Day Instagram caption say? No matter what you choose, the veterans in your life will be glad to know you’re thinking of them today.
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