Veterans Day is an important national holiday that allows us to say “thank you” to past and present military members. Are you planning to deliver a Veterans Day speech?
My article will show you nine Veterans Day speech ideas and tips. Take inspiration from my short sample speech that shows clarity and conciseness.
What Is Veteran’s Day?
Veterans Day is a national holiday celebrated every 11th of November to commemorate veterans of the forces. This celebration started in 1919 during the first anniversary of the truce, which ended the difficult times of World War I.
Veterans Day only became an official holiday in the United States in 1938. The ceremonies are held annually at the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 AM, a combined color guard executes “Preset Arms” at the tomb.
On August 4, 2002, the government called for educational efforts at elementary and secondary schools concerning the sacrifices and contributions of veterans.
Veterans Day Speech Ideas and Tips
Whether you’re a veteran giving a speech at your local government unit or a high school student honoring veterans, these tips will help you craft the perfect Veterans Day speech on the 11th of November.
Thank People for Being Here
Your introduction can be as simple as thanking people for attending the event. Two to three short sentences of your gratitude can quickly catch your audience’s attention. Here are some examples you can try.
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- “This entire event would have been impossible if you had not shown up.”
- “I’m so blessed to have people like you who can turn simple evenings into memorable ones.”
Consider the Reason You Were Asked to Write
Start writing your Veterans Day thank you speech for why you were asked to deliver one. Perhaps you are a veteran representing other veterans. You might also be the spouse of a veteran or a student who wants to honor veterans.
If you are a dignitary, your speech should revolve around your experience of having young men and women from your jurisdiction protect their country.
Use Real Anecdotes
Once you’re done with your introduction, it’s time to focus on your personal experiences.
Your Veterans Day welcome speech should include stories about people you want to honor. You can also ask a real soldier about their insights on serving the country.
This part of the speech can be emotional. Add a touch of humor if appropriate and don’t lose sight of your theme: heroism.
Don’t Confuse Veterans Day With Memorial Day
Many veterans’ day speech examples on the internet confuse the holiday with Memorial Day.
Veterans Day is a holiday that honors everyone who has served in the military. It does not matter if they served in wartime or died in battle. Memorial Day is a day for soldiers who died serving the country.
Talk about all people who served in the military in your speech. Don’t just discuss the soldiers who died. Honor those who served in wartime and have to live with its consequences, including emotional and physical trauma.
End the Speech on a High Note
Once you’ve finished writing everything you need to say, make concluding remarks by repeating how sincerely grateful you are for the people fighting for your freedom.
You can say, “Our fight to defend liberty is far from over.” You can also tell them Veterans Day is a day for all Americans.
Practicing Your Veterans Day Speech
Writing is only half of the speech-making process. Follow these tips to make your rehearsal more effective.
Time Yourself
There might be a time limit if you will deliver your Veterans Day Speech at a formal event. If there is none, see how long it would take by practicing.
Try recording yourself so you can listen and determine the parts you can trim. Remember that the essential part of the speech is your gratitude toward the veterans.
Practice in Front of Someone
If you are not a skilled public speaker, gather a few trusted friends and family who can listen to your speech and provide constructive criticism.
Ask them which parts seem unnecessary, incorrect, or inappropriate for the event. You might also want to ask which parts of your speech require clarification.
This tip is essential to avoid getting stage fright when it’s time to give it to your real audience.
Work on Sounding Natural
The whole point of your speech is to make veterans feel the depth of your thankfulness for them. This strategy can be challenging if you seem arrogant, shy, or stiff.
One way to sound natural is to use common vocabulary. Avoid pretentious words which your audience might not understand.
Replacing filler words with pauses is also essential so you seem confident. It will make you sound more well-rehearsed.
Relax the Night Before the Speech
Take some time to calm down before delivering your speech. Ensure you get eight hours of sleep and eat enough food before the big day. Exercising is also an excellent way to release nervous energy.
Veterans Day Quotes to Include in Your Speech
Here are some popular quotes you can include in your Veterans Day speech.
- “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
- “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
- “Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” -Douglas MacArthur
- “On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.” -Dan Lipinski
- “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” -Joseph Campbell
- “In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it.” -Barack Obama
- “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
- “America without her soldiers would be like God without his angels.” -Claudia Pemberton
- “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
- On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.” -Dan Lipinski
- “This will remain the Land of the Free only so long as it is the Home of the Brave.” -Elmer Davis
- “The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” -Minot J. Savage
- “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” -Lee Greenwood, “God Bless the USA”
Sample Veterans Day Speech
I’m honored to speak with you today on an important holiday. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I came to an end in 1918. Since then, we have celebrated every 11th of November to honor all veterans who selflessly contributed and sacrificed for our freedom.
Our school and the rest of the country owe a massive debt to veterans. These people were called to be part of something bigger than their personal goals. These were ordinary people who returned extraordinarily. Some were not able to come back at all because they died on battlefields to defend our way of life. Their untold sacrifices and courage inspire us to follow in their footsteps in protecting the nation.
The mission of Moon Clearburn High School is to be a unifying community that is committed to social responsibility, personal development, and academic excellence. We don’t have to join the army or other organizations of defense to fight for freedom. In fact, we can start rendering national service here at school. Empowering fellow students, becoming a voice for the underprivileged, and being committed to one’s citizenship while studying are some ways we can make a difference within the academic institution.
This Veterans Day, may we be reminded that any opportunity to serve the people is a huge honor. It is something that will change our hearts and improve the way we view ourselves and other people as Americans.
Start Writing Your Veterans Day Speech
Veterans Day is an excellent holiday to give a speech. It allows you to express gratitude toward people who fought for freedom in our country and show the importance of national service.
Consider your audience and goals when crafting your speech. Always follow the nine techniques for writing and practicing your Veterans Day speech.