Able Quote by Michael E. Thornton
“Medal of Honor belongs to every man and woman who gives us the freedom today to be able to hold our flag and hold our heads up high and say we have the greatest country in the world. And that goes with the men and women in the past, and the men and women of today, and the men and women of the future. As long as Mike Thornton lives, that medal will always stand for all them. Not for me. Not for what I've done, but for what I was trained to do and what they have been trained to do to give us our freedom today.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Medal of Honor ceremony, U.S. Army, 2015
The award honors all who protect liberty, past, present, and future, reflecting collective sacrifice over individual glory.
In simple terms: The medal represents everyone's effort for freedom.
Key Takeaway
Remember collective service, not just personal achievement.
Themes
service
sacrifice
patriotism
Mood
proud
reflective
Type
commemorative
inspirational
When to use this quote
- veteran recognition
- public ceremonies
- educational programs
Key Concepts
military honor
national pride
Questions to Reflect On
- Who else deserves recognition for this freedom?
- How can we teach this collective history?
A Different Perspective
Focus on individual heroism may eclipse broader contributions.
![“[General-in-Chief of the army, Lieutenant General Winfield] Scott not only believed that the idea [for a battlefield decoration, to wit, a Medal of Honor, or valor] smacked of Old World vanity, elitism, and snobbery, he also thought that such an award was entirely unnecessary.” quote by Russell S. Bonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0ca/russell-s-bonds-89935_american-civil-war_general-in-chief-of-the-army-lieutenant_1203312.jpg)
