ByQuotes

John F. Kelly Quotes

Powerful John F. Kelly for Daily Growth

About John F. Kelly

John Francis Kelly Jr., born on August 14, 1950, is an American retired four-star general in the United States Marine Corps who later served as the 6th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Kelly graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Political Science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1970. He served in various combat roles during his military career, including the Lebanon Barracks bombing in 1983 and the Iraq War. His leadership skills were recognized when he was appointed as the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force from 2012 to 2016. Kelly's influence is not limited to military affairs. He is known for his strong moral values and practical approach, often emphasizing teamwork, loyalty, and sacrifice in his speeches and interviews. One of his most famous quotes, "We must never forget that we are a nation because we have an idea," encapsulates his belief in the power of ideology in shaping societies. After retiring from the military, Kelly was appointed as the Secretary of Homeland Security by President Trump, where he worked on issues such as immigration policy and border security. His tenure was marked by controversies over family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. Post-government service, Kelly has continued to offer insights on national security, politics, and leadership through speaking engagements and media appearances. He is an advocate for military families, having lost his son, 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, in Afghanistan in 2010. His book, "Office of Origins: A White House Memoir," published in 2021, provides a firsthand account of his time as Homeland Security Secretary. John F. Kelly's life and career serve as a testament to dedication, service, and the profound impact one individual can have on national policy and military strategy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is nothing more American than honoring our veterans."

This quote by John F. Kelly emphasizes a deeply rooted American value, which places high importance on recognizing and appreciating military veterans. In essence, it suggests that honoring veterans – individuals who have served and sacrificed for the nation – is an expression of patriotism, a quintessential American characteristic. This statement highlights the profound respect and gratitude Americans hold for those who have served in the military, especially during times of war or conflict.

"The best way to honor those who serve is to equip them properly and send them to war with a mission they can understand, supported by their country, and led by its best and brightest officers."

This quote by John F. Kelly emphasizes the importance of showing respect for those in service by ensuring they are well-prepared, understanding their mission clearly, having the support of their country, and being led by exceptional military leaders. It suggests that giving them the right resources, a comprehensible purpose, unwavering national backing, and competent leadership is the most meaningful way to acknowledge and appreciate their service, particularly when it involves putting their lives at risk in war.

"I would remind all Americans that the sacrifices of esprit de corps are the international language."

John F. Kelly's quote emphasizes the universal significance of esprit de corps, a French term meaning "spirit ofcorps" or "team spirit." In this context, he is highlighting that the shared sacrifices made by team members transcend national boundaries, serving as a common language understood across all cultures and nations. This unified spirit fosters unity, resilience, and camaraderie, essential for any successful venture or endeavor. In essence, Kelly underscores the importance of mutual respect, cooperation, and perseverance in achieving common goals—be they military missions or broader societal aspirations.

"The greatest honor of my life was serving as the 25th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps."

This quote expresses a deep sense of pride, respect, and gratitude from John F. Kelly towards his role as the 25th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He considers this position to be the highest honor in his life, reflecting the significant responsibility, duty, and prestige associated with leading such an esteemed military institution. His service is seen as a matter of great personal fulfillment and accomplishment.

"To the Marines, I am but one of the very many who have worn the mantle of command. For some, the mantle was heavy and the burden onerous. Yet, each of us entered our sacred duty with a determination to make a difference and leave the world a little better than we found it."

In this quote, John F. Kelly emphasizes the sense of shared responsibility and duty among Marines who have held command positions. He acknowledges that leadership is not an individual feat but a collective one, with each leader taking on a burden to make a positive impact. The "mantle" symbolizes the tradition and responsibility passed down from one Marine to another, and the determination to leave a better world reflects the mission-oriented nature of the Marines, aiming to serve, protect, and contribute positively to society.

Given the opportunity to do another 9/11, our vicious enemy would do it today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter. I don't know why they hate us, and I frankly don't care, but they do hate us and are driven irrationally to our destruction.

- John F. Kelly

Every Day, Why, Another, Vicious

Marines dying or being seriously wounded is commonplace in combat.

- John F. Kelly

Dying, Marines, Wounded, Commonplace

We Marines believe that God gave America the greatest gift He could bestow to man while he lived on this earth -freedom. We also believe He gave us another gift nearly as precious - our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines - to safeguard that gift and guarantee no force on this earth can ever steal it away.

- John F. Kelly

Gift, Away, Steal, Marines

If the Marines today are doing exactly the same thing their dads did in Vietnam and their granddads did in Korea and World War II, then how in the hell can we say that they're not as good?

- John F. Kelly

Doing, Same Thing, World War, Marines

I think we could very easily suffer a seriously catastrophic cyber event.

- John F. Kelly

Think, Suffer, Very, Cyber

Since 1945, no one in the U.S. military has liked the end result of the military conflicts we've been in: Vietnam, Korea, certainly Iraq, and probably Afghanistan. But in a democracy, you salute.

- John F. Kelly

Been, Certainly, Iraq, Salute

I do not believe that the Sunni tribes have gone over to the Islamic State.

- John F. Kelly

Believe, Over, Islamic, Sunni

I guess, over time, I had convinced myself that I could imagine what it would be like to lose a son or daughter. You try to imagine it so that you can write the right kind of letters or form the right words to try to comfort. But you can't even come close. It is unimaginable.

- John F. Kelly

Son, Had, Convinced, Right Kind

My first time overseas was taking 10,000 tons of beer to Vietnam.

- John F. Kelly

Time, First Time, Vietnam, Tons

If you were to build a wall from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico, you would still have to back that wall up with patrolling by human beings, sensors, observation devices.

- John F. Kelly

Observation, Still, Devices, Gulf

One day, you'll get out of the Marine Corps; you'll put your uniform up, but you'll never not be a Marine.

- John F. Kelly

Marine Corps, One Day, Your, Corps

We have a saying in the Marine Corps and that is 'no better friend, no worse enemy, than a U.S. Marine.' We always hope for the first, friendship, but are certainly more than ready for the second.

- John F. Kelly

More, Always, Certainly, Corps

The young people I work with every day and serve the nation in the armed forces in general, and the Marine Corps in particular, have broken the mold and stepped out as men and women of character who are making their own way in life while protecting ours.

- John F. Kelly

Every Day, Young, Nation, Corps

I grew up in Boston in a very, very, very Marine town. So back in my neighborhood in Boston, a working-class neighborhood, when you got your draft notice, you went down, and you took your draft physical. And then, if you passed it, you joined the Marine Corps.

- John F. Kelly

Boston, Working-Class, Very, Corps

My sincere advice to any citizen considering moving to the United States and crossing our boundaries in irregular migration, my best advice is to not do it.

- John F. Kelly

Citizen, United States, Migration

If there's a country, and it's dangerous, and we deploy a U.S.military man or woman, if there's only one there, and they never leave the capital, that is 'boots on the ground.'

- John F. Kelly

Woman, Country, Capital, Boots

If there's a country, and it's dangerous, and we deploy a U.S. military man or woman, if there's only one there, and they never leave the capital, that is 'boots on the ground.' We do a disservice to the sacrifice of these people, particularly if they are killed, when we say there's no boots on the ground.

- John F. Kelly

Woman, Country, Capital, Boots

If you want to get into the United States, the best way, I believe, is to ride the network. There is no convergence between, say, the criminal networks and the Islamic extremist networks.

- John F. Kelly

United States, Best Way, Extremist

There will be no use of military forces in immigration. There will be no - repeat, no - mass deportations.

- John F. Kelly

Immigration, Will, Use, Military Forces

I work for one man. His name is Donald Trump. He has told me one thing: 'Secure the border.'

- John F. Kelly

Border, Trump, Donald, None

The one thing I was always told is you absolutely have to tell truth to power. Whether you're a second lieutenant working with a captain and a lieutenant colonel, or a four-star general working with the Office Secretary of Defense and the White House, the decision makers have got to have ground truth.

- John F. Kelly

Captain, Tell, Lieutenant, White House

Whether you're a second lieutenant working with a captain and a lieutenant colonel, or a four-star general working with the Office Secretary of Defense and the White House, the decision makers have got to have ground truth. Otherwise, the decisions they make could be flawed - and that can be dangerous.

- John F. Kelly

Dangerous, Lieutenant, White House

Unless confronted by an immediate, visible, or uncomfortable crisis, our nation's tendency is to take the security of the Western Hemisphere for granted.

- John F. Kelly

Crisis, Nation, Visible, Confronted

I've learned that, in many cases, people say, 'I want ground truth,' and they don't really mean it. There are warts all over this organization, as there are in many organizations, but you just have to tell truth to power and let the chips fall where they may.

- John F. Kelly

Fall, Chips, Tell, Organizations

The comforting news for every American is that our men and women in uniform, and every Marine, is as good today as any in our history.

- John F. Kelly

American, News, Comforting, Marine

Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths. The protected can't begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night.

- John F. Kelly

Own, Nation, Refusing, Families

We cannot gamble with American lives. I will not gamble with American lives.

- John F. Kelly

Will, Lives, We Cannot, Gamble

The people that work the border will tell you that physical barriers, backed up by men and women, is what we need to secure the southwest border.

- John F. Kelly

Will, Need, Border, Southwest

My fear was of being offered a job that would be kind of a full-time position at a veterans organization or even in the government... I'd prefer to not be that, to come up the Beltway every day.

- John F. Kelly

Veterans, Full-Time, Prefer, Organization

To join in the political fray, I don't think it convinces anyone. It just becomes a talking point on CNN.

- John F. Kelly

Political, Think, CNN, Join

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.