--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe the connection is growing…" description: "\"I believe the connection is growing stronger. Just to think that 40-plus years ago, service members would return from combat to get spit on by so many ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/lee-zeldin-8424_be-grateful_i-believe-the-connection-is-growing-stro_258590.jpg" --- # I believe the connection is growing stronger. Just to… ![“I believe the connection is growing stronger. Just to think that 40-plus years ago, service members would return from combat to get spit on by so many civilians. Regardless of what we think about a conflict, we must always honor and be grateful for those men and women who serve.” quote by Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/lee-zeldin-8424_be-grateful_i-believe-the-connection-is-growing-stro_258590.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/lee-zeldin-8424_be-grateful_i-believe-the-connection-is-growing-stro_258590.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/lee-zeldin-8424_be-grateful_i-believe-the-connection-is-growing-stro_258590.jpg) > “I believe the connection is growing stronger. Just to think that 40-plus years ago, service members would return from combat to get spit on by so many civilians. Regardless of what we think about a conflict, we must always honor and be grateful for those men and women who serve.” [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker emphasizes increasing public support for veterans, recalling past hostility toward returning service members and urging ongoing gratitude and respect. **In simple terms:** We should honor veterans more than before. Key Takeaway Show consistent appreciation for service members. Themes respect gratitude military service public perception Mood reflective determined Type political motivational When to use this quote - Veteran ceremonies - community outreach - policy advocacy - education programs Key Concepts civic duty historical memory social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can communities rebuild trust with veterans? - What actions demonstrate genuine appreciation? A Different Perspective Public sentiment can be slow to change and may be influenced by political bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Civilians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians/) [Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Conflict Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict-honor-2553522/) [Connection Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connection-growing-2553521/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing/) [Growing Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-strong/) [Growing stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-stronger/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Plus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plus/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Service Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service-members-314440/) [Spit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spit/) [Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stronger/) [Think Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-conflict-880968/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [“One of the appalling aberrations of the German officer corps from this point on rose out of this conflict of “honor”—a word which, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-l-shirer/one-of-the-appalling-aberrations-of-the-german-officer-corps-from/) [William L. 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But you must give yourself to me-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/give-yourself-to-me-gemma-and-you-will-never-be-alone-again-you-ll-be/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The voice fell low, sank into her breast and stretched the tight bodice over her heart as she came up close. He felt the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/the-voice-fell-low-sank-into-her-breast-and-stretched-the-tight/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [I think would send a very strong message to Putin and to Russia that NATO countries and the United States are going to respond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-think-would-send-a-very-strong-message-to-putin-and-to-russia-that/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [I've won five races as a pro and become European champion in time-trial. I'm growing stronger as a person and as an athlete. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remco-evenepoel/i-ve-won-five-races-as-a-pro-and-become-european-champion-in-time/) [Remco Evenepoel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remco-evenepoel/) > [“With each step I take I am: Growing stronger, more spiritual and wiser. Climbing and conquering the imaginary mountains in my mind. Releasing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/with-each-step-i-take-i-am-growing-stronger-more-spiritual-and-wiser/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [I am growing stronger. I am a stone being excavated by the slow passage of water; I am wood charred by a fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/i-am-growing-stronger-i-am-a-stone-being-excavated-by-the-slow/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [If you desire with all your heart, friendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will spread; it will become the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/if-you-desire-with-all-your-heart-friendship-with-every-race-on-earth/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [“Walk Million miles away Your signal in the distance To whom it may concern I think I lost my way Gettin good at starting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foo-fighters/walk-million-miles-away-your-signal-in-the-distance-to-whom-it-may/) [Foo Fighters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foo-fighters/) > [“The two detectives had been there for well over an hour, and in that time the demon in Aidan had been growing stronger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/the-two-detectives-had-been-there-for-well-over-an-hour-and-in-that/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) > [“Solitude is an interesting companion. It is both enemy and friend, comforter and tormentor. I spent a lot of time in Dun Cinzci's meat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-fallon/solitude-is-an-interesting-companion-it-is-both-enemy-and-friend/) [Jennifer Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-fallon/) > [I love you yesterday, even more today,growing stronger tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-you-yesterday-even-more-today-growing-stronger-tomorrow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You can’t be in here.” Ian stated it as a fact. Sam sank back onto the bed. He was definitely growing stronger, but standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/you-can-t-be-in-here-ian-stated-it-as-a-fact-sam-sank-back-onto-the/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) ## More by Lee Zeldin > [Even though I don't agree with Donald Trump on everything, and I think there may be certain things or statements of his that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/even-though-i-don-t-agree-with-donald-trump-on-everything-and-i-think/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [The founder of the BDS movement is blatantly anti-Semitic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/the-founder-of-the-bds-movement-is-blatantly-anti-semitic/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [You can't live in the Bronx and survive on just $80,000 or so of income, if you're married and you have three kids at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/you-can-t-live-in-the-bronx-and-survive-on-just-80-000-or-so-of/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [To be a leader, regardless of what party you're in, is to tell your followers what lines not to cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/to-be-a-leader-regardless-of-what-party-you-re-in-is-to-tell-your/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [Bashar al-Assad needs to be replaced, but he can't be replaced with another Bashar al-Assad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/bashar-al-assad-needs-to-be-replaced-but-he-can-t-be-replaced-with/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [Under the guise of BDS, Jewish students on college campuses across the United States are being subjected to blatant anti-Semitism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/under-the-guise-of-bds-jewish-students-on-college-campuses-across-the/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [The rule of law is a republic. The rule of one person is a monarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/the-rule-of-law-is-a-republic-the-rule-of-one-person-is-a-monarchy/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [For generations, the Jewish and African-American communities have stood together, helping each other overcome their greatest challenges and triumph in the face of sweeping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/for-generations-the-jewish-and-african-american-communities-have/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [A more stable, stabilized Mideast, that's a humanitarian victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/a-more-stable-stabilized-mideast-that-s-a-humanitarian-victory/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [The beauty of our democracy is that the final authority is not the president of the United States, but instead the American public through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/the-beauty-of-our-democracy-is-that-the-final-authority-is-not-the/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [It's important that all around the globe that the United States is pursuing the most effective foreign policy possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/it-s-important-that-all-around-the-globe-that-the-united-states-is/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [It's been an honor to wear our nation's uniform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/it-s-been-an-honor-to-wear-our-nation-s-uniform/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East. And it's a relationship we should be strengthening, not weakening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/israel-is-our-greatest-ally-in-the-middle-east-and-it-s-a/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [Social media constitute the most powerful readily accessible communications weapon Hamas has in its arsenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/social-media-constitute-the-most-powerful-readily-accessible/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) > [The thing is with these members, especially Omar and Tlaib, honestly, I feel like their hearts are filled with darkness. AOC's heart might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-zeldin/the-thing-is-with-these-members-especially-omar-and-tlaib-honestly-i/) [Lee Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) [Explore all 81 Lee Zeldin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-zeldin/) ## More Be grateful quotes > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/focus-on-being-grateful-for-what-you-have-already-enjoy-it-then/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [Just remember: to be grateful and thank the people who are there and support you along the way is a great start to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/just-remember-to-be-grateful-and-thank-the-people-who-are-there-and/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/be-calm-be-strong-be-grateful-and-become-a-lamp-full-of-light-that/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another for there will always be others whose lives on the face of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/enjoy-your-own-life-without-comparing-it-with-that-of-another-for/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [Speak what I have to be grateful for when I get up and when I lie down to sleep. Meditation and prayer. I pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/speak-what-i-have-to-be-grateful-for-when-i-get-up-and-when-i-lie/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [Be grateful for the love you have to share-share it, and it will return to you ten times over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-praagh/be-grateful-for-the-love-you-have-to-share-share-it-and-it-will/) [James Van Praagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-praagh/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Kids aint supposed to be grateful! They're supposed to eat your food, break your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kripke/kids-aint-supposed-to-be-grateful-they-re-supposed-to-eat-your-food/) [Eric Kripke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kripke/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Browse all 602 Be grateful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe the connection is growing stronger. Just to think that 40-plus years ago, service members would return from combat to get spit on by so many civilians. 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