31 Thoughtful Memorial Day Messages Businesses Can Use

Americans across the states and beyond will once again celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. On this federal holiday, the nation pauses to honor and remember the brave U.S. military personnel who have died in service to their country since the Civil War. 

As such, the day traditionally signifies a time of reflection and gratitude for the heroes’ sacrifices. 

For businesses, it serves as an opportunity to express appreciation and solidarity with the values Memorial Day embodies. So, while you enjoy some family time, barbecue, or the day’s sales, spare some minutes to make official communication to remember the day’s real meaning and history.

You can share your Memorial Day messages through various channels. You can use email marketing solutions to send out an email blast or an SMS automation tool to send text messages honoring American heroes. Social media is also another option. 

But what sort of Memorial Day message should you send?

This article will show you how to write messages that pay homage to the day.

31 Memorial Day messages businesses can use

It is the most solemn American holiday, meaning you must send a more thoughtful message and not the unsuitable “Happy Memorial Day” greetings. 

There are millions of ideas you can borrow out there. But we’ve made it easier for you to find the ideal Memorial Day message by compiling a list of the best ones.

We will divide our list into two: Quotes from great American leaders or personalities and general messages. You can use either of them in the images or captions of your Memorial Day posts. 

You can also repurpose them for other channels like email. The GetResponse email software offers great solutions and features for efficient email communication – from free templates to an intuitive drag-and-drop builder and comprehensive email analytics.

Here are the popular quotes:

Popular Memorial Day quotes

• “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 legacy of heroes — the memory of a great name, and the inheritance of a great example.” –Benjamin Disraeli
• “…And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice.” –Ronald Reagan
• “The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.” –Judd Gregg.
• “It’s better to fight for something in life than to die for nothing.” –Gen. George S. Patton
• “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.
• “America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” –Claudia Pemberton.
• “Courage is more exhilarating than fear, and in the long run, it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
• “We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For the love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” — James Garfield.
• “And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” –Joseph Rodman Drake.
• “Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.” –Barack Obama.
• “Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” –Mary Roach.
• “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” –Joseph Campbell.
• “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” –Unknown.
• “The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we—in a less final, less heroic way–be willing to give of ourselves.” –Ronald Reagan

General Memorial Day messages

• For our freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition, freedom of the press, and more. On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives so we could live free.
• Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
• Home of the free, because of the brave. Today, we honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and to their families.
• Memorial Day is a great day to enjoy time with friends and family, but the holiday has a deeper meaning. So today, let’s remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
• To the brave men and women who gave their lives protecting our freedom: We are forever in your debt. We thank you. We proudly remember you.
• Today, we celebrate service, sacrifice, and selflessness. We can never bring back our fallen soldiers, but we can honor them in our daily actions.
• Everything you do today of your own free will, do it in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives to make it possible.
• Today and every day, we’re inspired by the bravely of our own beloved sons and daughters who served our country fearlessly.
• To all our fallen heroes: your legacy lives on forever in the memory and heart of the nation.
• This Memorial Day, let’s pay tribute to the heroes who gave everything for our nation. Their courage and sacrifice will always be remembered.
• May the spirit of Memorial Day remind us of the price of freedom and inspire us to live with gratitude and compassion.
• Grateful for the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Today, we remember and honor their selfless service.
• Remembering every hero who selflessly shed their patriot’s blood for our freedom. May their sacrifices be a constant reminder of the cost of liberty.
• In honor of the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. May their courage inspire us to live with purpose and gratitude.
• We express gratitude for the bravery of the fallen American soldiers. Wishing everyone a Memorial Day filled with reflection and appreciation for our heroes.
• Freedom isn’t free. Today, we remember and thank those who died defending our liberty. Their courage echoes through time.

Tips on how to post on social media on Memorial Day

Here are a few tips to remember when planning what to say on Memorial Day and the nature of your social media posts.

1. Use relevant hashtags

Using relevant hashtags in your Memorial Day social media posts is a strategic way to increase the visibility and reach of your social media content. Hashtags categorize posts, making them discoverable to a wider audience interested in similar topics.

You can include different categories of hashtags in your Memorial Day posts. The first one is the popular Memorial Day Hashtags that you’re sure will be used. They include #MemorialDay, #HonorTheFallen, #RememberAndHonor, #MemorialDayWeekend, and #MemorialDay2024.

These are widely used, meaning they will most likely trend on the day. As such, you are guaranteed your posts will reach a broad audience. To find the most ideal ones, check their popularity and relevance. 

You can use features like Instagram’s search, shown below.

Besides these, consider using hashtags tailored to your business or industry. For example, if you’re in the food industry, you might use #MemorialDayMenu or #GrillAndChill. 

See how DeLallo Foods does this.

Additionally, include location-specific hashtags to connect with your local community. For instance, if your business is in a specific city or region, use hashtags like #NewYorkMemorialDay. See the example below.

You can also create a unique and branded hashtag related to Memorial Day for your business. Then, encourage your audience to use it when sharing their Memorial Day experiences or engaging with your content, which you can reward with offers. 

Create a campaign-specific hashtag if you’re running a Memorial Day social media campaign or promotion. This hashtag will help track engagement and create a sense of community around your Memorial Day weekend initiatives.

Don’t be afraid to use a mix of popular, industry-specific, or branded hashtags in your posts. This combination can maximize your brand visibility to different audiences. Check out how Jeep executed this.

However, don’t overdo it! While hashtags can significantly enhance your post’s visibility, overusing or including irrelevant hashtags may come off as spammy. This will then have the opposite effect on engagement.

2. Schedule posts for timely feed

Most people, including your employees, will have the time off on Memorial Day weekend, so it’s important to schedule posts to ensure a timely feed. This will help create and post content that aligns with the pace of the day’s events and resonates with your audience, with minimal human intervention.

To do this right, start by creating a content calendar. Outline the types of posts you want to share leading up to Memorial Day and on the day itself. This includes promotional content, tribute posts, and any special announcements.

Sharing Memorial Day-related content a few days before the actual day can help build anticipation and encourage engagement. So do something like a countdown to your Memorial Day sales on your Instagram. 

Most brands also tend to post a military appreciation month post, shown below, which is a precursor of events like Memorial Day weekend.

On Memorial Day, ensure you strategically time your posts. Ideally, you should schedule posts during peak engagement times for your target audience. Depending on your audience’s social media usage behavior, this may include early morning, lunchtime, or evening. 

For instance, start with a morning post to capture your audience’s attention early in the day. This could be a respectful message, a quote, or a brief tribute to set the tone. In the afternoon, you can share a favorite Memorial Day tradition. Then, end with a post expressing gratitude and sharing the day’s reflections.

Tools like Hootsuite, Meta Business Suite, and Buffer can help you schedule your Memorial Day message in advance. 

3. Highlight a special food menu

The national holiday provides an excellent opportunity for family and friends to come together and enjoy a special meal. Hence, highlighting a special food menu in your post is a great way to capture your followers’ attention, whether you’re in the food business or not.

A restaurant or catering business can post its special Memorial Day food menu, accompanied by high-quality images and relevant hashtags, as we mentioned earlier. Here’s a great example.

Additionally, it can offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of your chefs preparing the special dishes. This adds a personal touch and provides insight into the effort and passion behind your Memorial Day menu.

What about brands that are not in the food business? Share your favorite Memorial Day recipes and food joints. You can even share some of your employees’ BBQs. Alternatively, ask your followers to share their opinions on something menu-related, as shown below. 

Ask your followers to leave comments or use interactive features like the Q&A one on Instagram stories to encourage more engagement.

4. Spotlight a fundraiser

Lots of businesses host fundraisers and donation drives on Memorial Day. You can show commitment to the day’s meaning by spotlighting some of them. This can be a powerful way to engage your audience, build community support, and raise awareness for a cause.

See how Jeep did with USO.

Start by selecting a cause that aligns with the spirit of Memorial Day. This could involve supporting veterans, military families, or organizations dedicated to remembering and honoring fallen heroes. Then, choose fundraisers that support the cause and align with your business’s values and mission.

Next, reach out to the organization hosting the fundraiser to express your interest. You can ask to collaborate on content creation, cross-promotions, or joint social media campaigns. This will help strengthen your partnership and enhance the effectiveness of your efforts.

Ensure you provide enough context and relevant information to win your audience’s trust when spotlighting another organization’s fundraiser. Explain the cause, the organization behind it, and how the funds will be used.

5. Shoutout another business

If you have no event or Memorial Day deals planned, you can shout out another business that does. 

Recognizing or appreciating another business without any direct benefit creates goodwill. It’s an authentic way to show that your brand values and acknowledges the efforts of others (true to the day’s purpose). This ultimately helps promote a positive brand image. 

Additionally, shoutouts can be an effective way to build relationships with other businesses. By publicly acknowledging and promoting them, you open the door for future collaborations, partnerships, or mutual support.

Select a business that has a connection to Memorial Day or one with great deals you would like your audience to check out. Then, repost their Memorial Day deal or offer.

Though the gesture is already thoughtful, ensure your caption matches the same intent. You can do this by highlighting their offer. Additionally, tag the business in your caption or image. This will allow your social followers to discover the business.

6. Give a push to networking

Your Memorial Day posts can also encourage your audience to go out and network. This is an excellent idea if you’re hosting an event. 

For instance, you could participate in a local parade event or host a family-oriented event, as shown in the example below.

Also, share social media content encouraging your audience to share their Memorial Day messages, memories, stories, or thoughts. This helps start conversations, which could help create a dynamic networking environment around your Memorial Day social media posts. 

Besides, as mentioned earlier, many businesses host events on Memorial Day. Therefore, you can help your followers network by finding out what’s happening locally and posting about it on your social media pages. That’s what this LA real estate company did. 

Doing this will inform your audience of places to meet new people and have refreshing conversations. Don’t forget to tag the organization or venue to make it easier for your audience to learn more about the events. 

In closing

On Memorial Day, Americans honor fallen heroes (since the Civil War) who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Businesses can take this opportunity to engage with their audience in a way that fosters a sense of community.

Not sure what to say on Memorial Day this year? We have shared 31 Memorial Day messages you can use in your social posts and captions. 

Additionally, we’ve shared six key tips you should follow when posting on social media for Memorial Day. They include using relevant hashtags, scheduling posts, highlighting special food menus, spotlighting a fundraiser, shouting out other businesses, and encouraging networking.

Whatever messaging path you take, remember that the key to great Memorial Day messages is maintaining a respectful and sincere tone.