17 Best Veterans Day Messages From a CEO

On November 11, 1918, several countries marked the end of World War I by burying an unknown soldier at their most respected place of honor. In the U.S., that place was Arlington National Cemetery.^[1]

November 11 was given the name “Armistice Day” by Congress in 1926, and in 1938, Congress agreed to make it a national holiday.^[1]

“Armistice Day” became “Veterans Day” in the 1950s, when President Eisenhower decided to change the name to honor veterans of all wars, not just World War I.^[1]

We continue to celebrate Veterans Day every November 11, paying tribute to the selfless service of the men and women of our armed forces.

A color guard can even be seen at Arlington National Cemetary at 11 a.m. on that date each year.^[1]

Below, we have a list of suggestions for what to write in a Veterans Day message from a CEO.

You can also combine, adapt, and add to these examples to craft a longer message. In that case, we have some tips below the list to help you write.

Today and every day, we are thankful to our military personnel and their families, past and present. We thank those who have fought and those who continue to fight today for their service, dedication, and sacrifice.
It is a privilege and honor to thank our veterans for their service. Let us honor those who have passed and express our gratitude for the veterans who continue to enrich our company, community, and lives.
We must never forget that the challenges we face in our business and our daily lives are nothing in relation to what our soldiers face. To our veterans, we sincerely thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Today is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who have chosen to defend our nation. We show our gratitude to them this Veterans Day, honoring their courage and selflessness.
To quote President Andrew Jackson, “I thank God that my life has been spent in a land of liberty.” It is because of the men and women of our armed forces that we are able to spend our lives this way. Today, we show our gratitude to them. Happy Veterans Day to all of our staff, and especially to the [number] veterans among our [Company] family. Thank you for your courage, dedication, and strength.
It gives me great pride to honor the men and women of our armed forces who have courageously answered the call to serve our nation. We owe our freedom to these brave men and women, and today we thank them for their dedication and service.
On this Veterans Day and every day, I encourage all members of our staff not just to think of our veterans but to thank them when you see them. Our lives would not be as they are without the bravery of these selfless men and women. And to the service members we’re honored to call colleagues at [Company], please know that you have our heartfelt gratitude for your courage and dedication.
Happy Veterans Day to all staff of [Company], especially those who have served in or have family in our armed forces. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to those who have chosen to courageously defend our nation throughout its history. Let us reflect on their sacrifice and show our appreciation for their bravery today and every day.
Today, we honor the brave men and women of our country’s military. At [Company], we are fortunate to have more than [number] active-duty and veteran service members among our staff. These team members are an integral part of the [Company] family, and we’re proud to have them with us. Let’s take a moment today and every day to thank our service members for their dedication and sacrifice.
As President Eisenhower said when renaming Armistice Day as Veterans Day, we must “solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom.” We take the opportunity today to show gratitude for all of the men and women of our armed forces, past and present. Thank you for serving your country with honor and bravery.
Today we give our utmost gratitude and appreciation to the men and women of the United States armed forces, past and present. We only have the freedoms we enjoy due to your sacrifice, selflessness, and willingness to risk your lives for your nation. Thank you for your courage and service. We wish you a happy Veterans Day.
Today I would like to take the opportunity to thank the veterans and military parents, spouses, partners, and children among our staff. To our military families, thank you for supporting your family member’s decision to serve. To our veterans, thank you for your courage, dedication, and discipline. We are honored to work with you.
Today, we pause to show recognition for our nation’s veterans, who have honorably served in defense of the United States. We thank them for their service and courage, knowing that without them, we would not have the freedoms or liberties we currently enjoy. I am proud of all of the veterans in our [Company] family and nationwide, as well as their families, who have selflessly answered the call of duty. Happy Veterans Day.
To serve our country is a selfless choice, and we are honored to pay tribute to the sacrifice of our active-duty military and veterans. These men and women deserve our thanks not just today but every day of the year. It is to them that we owe our freedom. Happy Veterans Day.
The freedoms we enjoy every day only exist because of the brave servicemen and women who have chosen to serve our country through various wars, conflicts, and times of peace. As we pay our respects to the nation’s veterans today, let us reflect on the selflessness of their service and renew our commitment to supporting and honoring them.
Today is Veterans Day, a time to show our appreciation for the men and women who have selflessly fought to preserve our freedom. To those among our staff who are veterans, thank you for your service and courage. To those with family in the armed forces, we thank you for supporting them. We are honored to have you in our community and here at [Company].
To all of our veterans and their families, thank you for everything you’ve done for our country. Today, we honor your dedication, sacrifices, and courage.

How to Craft the Right Veterans Day Message

While the suggestions on our list above are a great starting point, you might want to craft a unique message or write a longer letter to your employees on Veterans Day.

Keep the following tips in mind to help you craft the perfect message:

Keep the tone serious and respectful. Veterans Day is a celebration of our military service members and an acknowledgment of their courage, hard work, and sacrifices. Taking too festive of a tone might appear to minimize the seriousness of veterans’ experiences.
Give special thanks to the veterans within your company. While your Veterans Day message is a great time to pay tribute to all veterans nationwide, adding some words specifically for the veterans you work with can make them feel appreciated and honored. Adding a sentence like “We’re thankful to work alongside [number] veterans here at [Company]” to any broader Veterans Day message will let your veteran employees know that you recognize and respect their bravery and experience.
Use words that convey the significance of a veteran’s service. Words like “sacrifice,” “courage,” and “bravery” are commonly found in Veterans Day messages, and for a good reason. Strong words like these show reverence for the veterans’ decisions to serve their country. No amount of praise is too much when someone has put their life on the line for the good of their nation, so use words like these in considerable measure.