Thomas Jefferson - 3rd President:
"Patriotism is not a short frenzied burst of emotion, but the long and steady dedication of a lifetime."
"It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it."
Abraham Lincoln - 16th President:
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honoured dead we take increased devotion to that cause - for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people - shall not perish from the earth."
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Ronald Reagan - 40th President:
"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free."
"I don't know all the national anthems of the world, but I do know this: The only anthem of those I do know that ends with a question is ours, and may it be ever thus. Does that banner still wave "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Yes, it does, and we're going to see that it continues to wave over that kind of a country."
Benjamin Franklin - Founding Father:
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Patrick Henry - American Revolutionary Figure:
"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Thomas Paine - American Revolutionary Figure:
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself."
Daniel Webster - American Statesman:
"I shall know but one country. The ends I aim at shall be my country’s, my God’s and Truth’s. I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an American."