Veterans 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 he best can, the same cause.”
― Abraham Lincoln

“Look at that! The entire Australian kit dates from the 1940s and the uniforms are falling apart at the seams, the fucking boots you have issued to us are the same and everything is rotten. As for bloody weapons, we are issued with the Owen sub-machine gun. While the gun is still a very good weapon, the 9mm ammunition it uses is old WW2 stock and its propellants have deteriorated to the point where I doubt if the round will penetrate the back-pack of a fleeing Noggie!”
― Michael G. Kramer, A Gracious Enemy

“The receiving radio operator immediately said, “Please tell Sunray Delta Six that Sunray Six is being located and informed immediately. Expect his answer very soon!” A short time later, Harry Smith was summoned to the HQ Delta Company radio. He went to it and was told, “Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Townsend is waiting to speak to you.”
― Michael G. Kramer, A Gracious Enemy

“People of various parts of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, the USSR, and other places, were living among the ruins in the best way that they could. Because I was alone and homeless as well as confused, I opted to join the French Foreign Legion. When I was in the Wehrmacht, I thought that their discipline was extreme. However, it was nothing when compared to the discipline as practised by the Foreign Legion!”

(A Gracious Enemy & After the War Volume Two)”
― Michael G. Kramer

“Meanwhile, the British had announced that they would leave all British bases east of Suez. That cause great concern to the Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Menzies, who immediately went into discussion about this with cabinet ministers.”
― Michael G. Kramer, A Gracious Enemy

“Locating the village elders, he said to them, “I think that we are in for a bad time. The American Sky Soldiers are coming by helicopter and the usual things the Americans do of air strikes by fighter-bombers and by B52 large bombers is starting at Long Phuoc! I fear the worst!”
― Michael G. Kramer, A Gracious Enemy

“This stated, “Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I am delighted by the decision of your government to provide an infantry battalion for service in South Vietnam at the request of the Government of South Vietnam” The simple fact about this was that no such request was ever received by the Australian Government.”
― Michael G. Kramer, A Gracious Enemy

“            It was stated by an Australian Army Officer, “Phuoc Tuy offers the perfect terrain for guerrilla warfare. It has a long coastline with complex areas of mangrove swamps, isolated ranges of very rugged mountains and a large area of uninhabited jungle containing all of the most loathsome combinations of thorny bamboos, poisonous snakes, insects, malaria, dense underbrush, swamps and rugged ground conditions that the most dedicated guerrilla warfare expert could ask for.”
― Michael G. Kramer, A Gracious Enemy

“Killing people is easier than it should be.” Dad put on his beret. “Staying alive is harder.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, The Impossible Knife of Memory

“Sitting in front of my fireplace, basking in it's warm glow gives me time to reflect upon the sacrifices that it has taken for me to enjoy the security of a good home, in a safe environment. I can hear the soft whisper of the snow as it caresses my window and covers the ground outside in a scintillating display of sparkling lights under the full moon. How many times have our service men and women watched this same scene from a foxhole, or camped in some remote part of the world. Thankful for the silence of that moment, knowing it won’t last long. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He/she dresses in fatigues and patrols the world restlessly, ensuring that we can have this peaceful night. Every day they give us the gift of this lifestyle that we enjoy, and every night they watch over us. They are warriors, angels, guardians, friends, brothers, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, forming a family that stretches back to the beginning of the country. So tonight when you go to bed say a prayer that God watch over those who watch over us, and thank them for their sacrifices, on and off the battlefield. Pray that they have a peaceful night, and will be home soon with their families who also share their burden. Without them we would not have this moment.”
― Neil Leckman

“In World War One, they called it shell shock. Second time around, they called it battle fatigue. After 'Nam, it was post-traumatic stress disorder.”
― Jan Karon, Home to Holly Springs

“The brave men and women, who serve their country and as a result, live constantly with the war inside them, exist in a world of chaos. But the turmoil they experience isn’t who they are; the PTSD invades their minds and bodies.”
― Robert Koger, Death's Revenge

“What about the scar … in my face.” He managed to force out, couldn’t
find the words, no better nor easier way to ask and even plead. Do you want me.
Do you honestly still want me?
Please, want me.”
― Aleksandr Voinov, Special Forces

“This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans. As a civilian I owe an unpayable debt to all our military. Going forward let’s not send our servicemen and women off to war or conflict zones unless it is overwhelmingly justifiable and on moral high ground. The men of WWII were the greatest generation, perhaps Korea the forgotten, Vietnam the trampled, Cold War unsung and Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan vets underestimated. Every generation has proved itself to be worthy to stand up to the precedent of the greatest generation. Going back to the Revolution American soldiers have been the best in the world. Let’s all take a remembrance for all veterans who served or are serving, peace time or wartime and gone or still with us. 11/11/16 May God Bless America and All Veterans.”
― Thomas M Smith

“I was about to tell her that Miralles hadn't fought in one war, but many, but I couldn't, because I suddenly saw Miralles walking
across the Libyan desert towards the Murzuk oasis- young, ragged, dusty and annonymous, carrying the tricolour flag of a country not his own, of a country that is all countries and also the country of liberty and which only exists because he and four Moors and a black guy are raising that flag as they keep walking onwards, onwards, ever onwards.”
― Javier Cercas, Soldados de Salamina

“Nobody remembers them, you know ? Nobody. Nobody remebers why they died, why they didnt have a wife and children
and a sun lit room either, nobody, least of all people for whom they fought. There is no and there never will be some pathetic street
in one pathetic village of a shitty country that is named after any of them."
Miralles stopped talking, he took out his handkerchief, wiped the tears, blew his nose, he did so without shame, as if he was not ashamed of crying in public,
as Homers warriors of old did it, as any soldier of Salamis would do.”
― Javier Cercas, Soldados de Salamina

“The world doesn't owe anyone a living—including veterans.”
― Frank D. Gilroy, The Subject Was Roses

“Roto el cerebro, el espíritu roto,
vagas en la apática sociedad
que decide por ti con su vil voto
sin entender tu interna tempestad.”
― Elvis Dino Esquivel, Sólo lloré en otoño

“Ninguna medalla en tu dócil pecho
sepultará lo que viste en batalla.
El olvido solo ofrece su techo
al que su calvario en secreto calla.”
― Elvis Dino Esquivel, Sólo lloré en otoño

“¡Y no me avergüenzo de llorar! ¡El llanto
prueba que el corazón no está marchito!”
― Elvis Dino Esquivel, Llantos del silencio

“Valiente matas y muerto caminas:
tus muertos irán donde tu honor vaya,
legando dolor y una mente en ruinas.

¡Ya que puedes hacer! Eres la ofrenda
bélica en esa foránea playa.
¡Muere y se héroe! ¡Mata y se leyenda!”
― Elvis Dino Esquivel, Sólo lloré en otoño

“Veterano, quítate esa aureola;
no es héroe aquel quien vidas inmola,
si no aquel que su vida sacrifica.”
― Elvis Dino Esquivel, Sólo lloré en otoño

“¡Denme pinche tequila! Que a través del vaso
pequeño, universos enteros se ven;
y como el tequila, claros son los ojos
de las amargas aguas del golfo de Adén.”
― Elvis Dino Esquivel, Sólo lloré en otoño

“If you were there, no words are necessary. If you were NOT there no words can explain.”
― Frank A. Wood, Last Gunship USS Mullinnix DD-944 1972 Vietnam Memoirs of a FTGSN

“Our veterans have given us so much, and it’s our duty to ensure they receive the benefits and care they’ve rightfully earned.”
― Brian Reese

“Veterans are living proof that when duty calls, heroes answer. They deserve our deepest respect, admiration, and unwavering support.”
― Brian Reese

“The strength of our nation isn’t defined by military might alone—it’s built on the courage and resilience of the men and women who wear the uniform.”
― Brian Reese

“I believe all veterans deserve to be treated like the patriots they are, and receive the benefits and support of a grateful nation.”
― Brian Reese

“I have done things that haunt me at night so you can sleep in peace.

I have been away from my family for a long time so you can be safe with yours.

I have sacrificed a lot in my life so you can live in freedom.

I have done these things because I raised my right hand and took an oath to defend my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so you didn’t have to.

I will live by this oath until the day I die because I am, and always will be, a ”
― Brian Reese

“I have done things that haunt me at night so you can sleep in peace. I have been away from my family for a long time so you can be safe with yours. I have sacrificed a lot in my life so you can live in freedom. I have done these things because I raised my right hand and took an oath to defend my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so you didn’t have to. I will live by this oath until the day I die because I am, and always will be, a Veteran.”
― Brian Reese