“It is the Soldier, not the ministerWho has given us freedom of religion.It is the Soldier, not the reporterWho has given us freedom of the press.It is the Soldier, not the poetWho has given us freedom of speech.It is the Soldier, not the campus organizerWho has given us freedom to protest.It is the Soldier, not the lawyerWho has given us the right to a fair trial.It is the Soldier, not the politicianWho has given us the right to vote.It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,Who serves beneath the flag,And whose coffin is draped by the flag,Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

“The flag given to the son of a soldier.”

“Pah…commoners, traders." Ergus made a disparaging gesture.Traders with money, Ergus. Money they put at the disposition of young Tanahkos," Lmachdan said in a dry tone. "Money that turns into soldiers. Soldiers who are used to extort tribute from us. Tribute that is turned into more soldiers. The warlord has a good thing going, I'll say that for him.”

“I will stand by you. You must not be afraid. This is a brave land, Susanna, founded by brave people who never shrank from their duty or their vision of freedom. But this land has a future only if each of us stands up for what is right when it is given us to do so.”

“Soldiers can sometimes make decisions that are smarter than the orders they've been given.”