--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must never forget why we have, and why…" description: "\"We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg" --- # We must never forget why we have, and why we need our… ![“We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have 'guardians at the gate.'” quote by Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg) > “We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have 'guardians at the gate.'” [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The military protects national safety, allowing citizens to rest peacefully under its guardianship. **In simple terms:** Military ensures safety so people can sleep peacefully. Key Takeaway Appreciate and support those who protect us. Themes security patriotism responsibility Mood proud reassuring Type political motivational When to use this quote - citizen life - policy debate - community safety Key Concepts national defense social contract Questions to Reflect On - How does security affect daily life? - What responsibilities do we have toward defenders? A Different Perspective Neglecting military can lead to vulnerability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Armed forces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-forces/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gates/) [Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guardian/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military Armed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-armed-1993164/) [Nation Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation-safe-1720201/) [Need Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-military-1993165/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Never forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-forget/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) ## Related quotes > [“Enough Is Enough America. Let's Work To End All Violence. At Home, In The Streets, Against Women, Children, Brothers, Sisters And Start Moving Forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/enough-is-enough-america-let-s-work-to-end-all-violence-at-home-in/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [The Trump administration recognizes that most refugees and immigrants are good people, but practical and temporary measures must be taken to keep this nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayleigh-mcenany/the-trump-administration-recognizes-that-most-refugees-and-immigrants/) [Kayleigh McEnany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayleigh-mcenany/) > [I hope for an America where we can all contend freely and vigorously, but where we will treasure and guard those standards of civility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/i-hope-for-an-america-where-we-can-all-contend-freely-and-vigorously/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [Know when cities and states refuse to help enforce immigration laws, our nation is less safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-sessions/know-when-cities-and-states-refuse-to-help-enforce-immigration-laws/) [Jeff Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-sessions/) > [I understand the challenge with student loans. But what about the labor force, the enlisted men and women, so to speak, of ships. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sestak/i-understand-the-challenge-with-student-loans-but-what-about-the/) [Joe Sestak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sestak/) > [I don't want any romantics to go into the military. I'm not a pacifist. I think we need a military, and the better one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marlantes/i-don-t-want-any-romantics-to-go-into-the-military-i-m-not-a-pacifist/) [Karl Marlantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marlantes/) > [We don't need military weapons in our society. We're not supposed to be at war with one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/we-don-t-need-military-weapons-in-our-society-we-re-not-supposed-to/) [Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/) > [While men rule the world they need the military, women should only need secret agents ;)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrea/while-men-rule-the-world-they-need-the-military-women-should-only/) [Adrea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrea/) > [We need not only an executive to make international law, but we need the military forces to enforce that law and the judicial system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/we-need-not-only-an-executive-to-make-international-law-but-we-need/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [We need military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-weller/we-need-military-border-patrols-to-battle-drugs-terrorism/) [Jerry Weller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-weller/) > [We don't stop and realize that we are dealing with people - the far-left doesn't think we need a military to start with, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-inhofe/we-don-t-stop-and-realize-that-we-are-dealing-with-people-the-far/) [James Inhofe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-inhofe/) > [I don't live under the illusion we don't need a military to protect this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/i-don-t-live-under-the-illusion-we-don-t-need-a-military-to-protect/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [Triumphant hours are the Lark's Who circles skywards from his home each day: World's early riser, with bubbling golden song, Towards the firmament, guardian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dafydd-ap-gwilym/triumphant-hours-are-the-lark-s-who-circles-skywards-from-his-home/) [Dafydd ap Gwilym](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dafydd-ap-gwilym/) > [I think the press, by and large, is what we call "liberal". But of course what we call "liberal" means well to the right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-think-the-press-by-and-large-is-what-we-call-liberal-but-of-course/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) ## More by Allen West > [There's a dishonest tyranny in the liberal/progressive/socialist agenda that comes down and says 'we are here because we care about you; we want what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/there-s-a-dishonest-tyranny-in-the-liberal-progressive-socialist/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [Liberals worry that what's best for the individual might not be better for the public at large. But that philosophy assumes something vicious about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/liberals-worry-that-what-s-best-for-the-individual-might-not-be/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [The great thing that I appreciate - the fact that my godfather, William 'Sticky' Jackson, was a Tuskegee Airman because my father was first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/the-great-thing-that-i-appreciate-the-fact-that-my-godfather-william/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [We are in a new Civil War, and just like the last, it is a struggle for the sanctity of the Union - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/we-are-in-a-new-civil-war-and-just-like-the-last-it-is-a-struggle-for/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I taught high school for one year in Deerfield Beach, Fla., and in the end, it was such an enjoyable experience breaking up fights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-taught-high-school-for-one-year-in-deerfield-beach-fla-and-in-the/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I do not believe having a baby is punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-do-not-believe-having-a-baby-is-punishment/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [The republic I fell in love with, the republic I risked my life to defend, the values I hold dear, the integrity that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/the-republic-i-fell-in-love-with-the-republic-i-risked-my-life-to/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [It is the liberal philosophy, not the conservative one, that views humans as selfish automatons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/it-is-the-liberal-philosophy-not-the-conservative-one-that-views/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [Quite simply, federal laws already on the books aimed at stopping the flow of illegal immigration must be enforced. Furthermore, states must be given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/quite-simply-federal-laws-already-on-the-books-aimed-at-stopping-the/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I think that Governor Romney needs to talk about the fact that what he tried to do in the state of Massachusetts was him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-think-that-governor-romney-needs-to-talk-about-the-fact-that-what/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [For far too long we've allowed the other side to paint us as racist, as sexist, inhumane war mongers - well, today as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/for-far-too-long-we-ve-allowed-the-other-side-to-paint-us-as-racist/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I am willing to work with anyone that wants to do what is best for this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-am-willing-to-work-with-anyone-that-wants-to-do-what-is-best-for/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [While there are towns and cities still planning Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some think the day is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/while-there-are-towns-and-cities-still-planning-memorial-day-parades/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [You had 42 blacks that ran on the Republican ticket this Cycle, 14 made of them made it to the general election and two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/you-had-42-blacks-that-ran-on-the-republican-ticket-this-cycle-14/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I'm not going to sit at home and eat popcorn,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-m-not-going-to-sit-at-home-and-eat-popcorn/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) [Explore all 102 Allen West quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) ## More Armed forces quotes > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [Recruitment and retention are critical to sustain our Armed Forces with the best men and women willing to stand in the gap and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/recruitment-and-retention-are-critical-to-sustain-our-armed-forces/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My father was in the military; he was a captain. His service was to quote-unquote integrate the Armed Forces overseas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/my-father-was-in-the-military-he-was-a-captain-his-service-was-to/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pace/i-believe-that-homosexual-acts-between-individuals-are-immoral-and/) [Peter Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pace/) > [“The highest ranking Russian intelligence officer to defect from Russia, Stanislav Lunev, testified at a Congressional hearing held in California in January, 2000. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/the-highest-ranking-russian-intelligence-officer-to-defect-from/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [A colonial war is a very dirty kind of war. You're not fighting armed forces. You're fighting mostly unarmed people. And to fight that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/a-colonial-war-is-a-very-dirty-kind-of-war-you-re-not-fighting-armed/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Scotland forms a crucial part of our Armed Forces which should not be jeopardised by rushed cuts or a rush to the exit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hammond/scotland-forms-a-crucial-part-of-our-armed-forces-which-should-not-be/) [Philip Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hammond/) > [The people of Iraq are grateful for what the people of the United States of America and our armed forces and our coalition forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-isakson/the-people-of-iraq-are-grateful-for-what-the-people-of-the-united/) [Johnny Isakson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-isakson/) > [I have deep respect for our armed forces and jawans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-kumaraswamy/i-have-deep-respect-for-our-armed-forces-and-jawans/) [H. D. Kumaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-kumaraswamy/) > [“The ultimate objective of all military operations is the destruction of the enemy’s armed forces and his will to fight.”\* This sums up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-wylie/the-ultimate-objective-of-all-military-operations-is-the-destruction/) [J.C. Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-wylie/) > [Relations between States, as between individuals, must be regulated not by armed force, but in accordance with...truth, justice and vigorous and sincere co-operation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/relations-between-states-as-between-individuals-must-be-regulated-not/) [Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/) > [Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/word-to-the-nation-guard-zealously-your-right-to-serve-in-the-armed/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [If Congress grants permission, I would put armed forces in the streets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/if-congress-grants-permission-i-would-put-armed-forces-in-the-streets/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-lead-uninstructed-people-to-war-is-to-throw-them-away/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Americans will forever be proud of the brave men and women of our armed forces who served in World War II, and we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/americans-will-forever-be-proud-of-the-brave-men-and-women-of-our/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) [Browse all 342 Armed forces quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-forces/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have 'guardians at the gate.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Allen West" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why-we-need-our-military-our/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Armed forces" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why-we-need-our-military-our/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/allen-west-5219_armed-forces_we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why_1796489.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our…” — Allen West", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Allen West", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We must never forget why we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why-we-need-our-military-our/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/we-must-never-forget-why-we-have-and-why-we-need-our-military-our/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```