The President on Veterans Day(2)
文章来源:未知 文章作者:meng 发布时间:2009-11-22 05:31 字体: [ ]  进入论坛
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  Thank you.  Please, be seated.

Thank you, Secretary Shinseki, for the generous introduction -- more importantly, the extraordinary bravery in service to our country, both on and off(断断续续,或多或少) the battlefield.  I want to thank our outstanding Vice2 President, Joe Biden, and his wonderful wife, Dr. Jill Biden, for being here today.  We want to thank the Bidens for their son, Beau's, service as well; we're glad he just got back from Iraq.

We want to say a special word of thanks to Brigadier General Karl Horst, who's the Commander of the Military District of Washington, for being here, and for your lifetime of distinguished3 service(优异服务) to our nation.  To Gene1 Crayton, president of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, thank you for being here.  And to all the veterans’ service organizations for the extraordinary work, day in, day out(一天到晚) on behalf of our nation's heroes.

To the members of our armed forces and the veterans who are here today:  I am deeply honored and humbled5 to spend Veterans Day with you in this sacred place where generations of heroes have come to rest -- and generations of Americans have come to show their gratitude6(感谢的心情).

There are many honors and responsibilities that come with this job.  But none is more profound than serving as Commander-in-Chief.  Yesterday, I visited the troops at Fort Hood7.  We gathered in remembrance of those we recently lost.  We paid tribute to the lives they led.  And there was something that I saw in them; something that I see in the eyes of every soldier and sailor, airman, Marine8 and Coast Guardsman that I have had the privilege(特权) to meet in this country and around the world -- and that thing is determination.

In this time of war, we gather here mindful that the generation serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices that they have made.  In an era where so many acted only in pursuit of narrow self-interest, they've chosen the opposite.  They chose to serve the cause that is greater than self; many even after they knew they'd be sent into harm's way.  And for the better part of a decade, they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places; they have protected us from danger; and they have given others the opportunity for a better life.

So to all of them -- to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families -- there is no tribute(颂词,称赞), no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude(大小,重要) of your service and your sacrifice.

This is a place where it is impossible not to be moved by that sacrifice.  But even as we gather here this morning, people are gathering9 all across America, not only to express thanks of a grateful nation, but to tell stories that demand to be told.  They're stories of wars whose names have come to define eras; battles that echo throughout history.  They're stories of patriots10 who sacrificed in pursuit of a more perfect union:  of a grandfather who marched across Europe; of a friend who fought in Vietnam; of a sister who served in Iraq.  They're the stories of generations of Americans who left home barely more than boys and girls, became men and women, and returned home heroes.

And when these Americans who had dedicated11 their lives to defending this country came home, many settled on a life of service, choosing to make their entire lives a tour of duty.  Many chose to live a quiet life, trading one uniform and set of responsibilities for another -- doctor, engineer, teacher, mom, dad.  They bought homes, raised families, built businesses.  They built the greatest middle class that the world has ever known.  Some put away their medals, stayed humble4 about their service, and moved on.  Some, carrying shrapnel and scars, found that they couldn't.

We call this a holiday.  But for many veterans, it's another day of memories that drive them to live their lives each day as best as they possibly can.  For our troops, it is another day in harm's way.  For their families, it is another day to feel the absence of a loved one, and the concern for their safety.  For our wounded warriors12, it is another day of slow and arduous13 recovery.  And in this national cemetery14(公墓,墓地), it is another day when grief remains15 fresh.  So while it is important and proper that we mark this day, it is far more important we spend all our days determined16 to keep the promises that we've made to all who answer this country's call.

Carved into the marble behind me are the words of our first Commander-in-Chief:  "When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen."  Just as the contributions that our servicemen and women make to this nation don't end when they take off their uniform, neither do our obligations to them.  And when we fulfill17 those obligations, we aren't just keeping faith with our veterans; we are keeping faith with the ideals of service and sacrifice upon which this republic was founded.#p#分页标题#e#

If we're honest with ourselves, we'll admit that there have been times where we as a nation have betrayed that sacred trust.  Our Vietnam veterans served with great honor.  They often came home greeted not with gratitude or support, but with condemnation18 and neglect.  That's something that will never happen again.  To them and to all who have served, in every battle, in every war, we say that it's never too late to say thank you.  We honor your service.  We are forever grateful.  And just as you have not forgotten your missing comrades, neither, ever, will we.  Our servicemen and women have been doing right by America for generations.  And as long as I am Commander-in-Chief, America's going to do right by them.

That is my message to all veterans today.  That is my message to all who serve in harm's way.  To the husbands and wives back home doing the parenting of two.  To the parents who watch their sons and daughters go off to war, and the children who wonder when mom and dad is coming home.  To all our wounded warriors(勇士,武士), and to the families who laid a loved one to rest.  America will not let you down.  We will take care of our own.

And to those who are serving in far-flung places today, when your tour ends, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you will be home in an America that is forever here for you just as you've been there for us.  That is my promise -- our nation's promise -- to you.

Ninety-one years ago today, the battlefields of Europe fell quiet as World War I came to a close.  But we don't mark this day each year as a celebration of victory, as proud of that victory as we are.  We mark this day as a celebration of those who made victory possible.  It's a day we keep in our minds the brave men and women of this young nation -- generations of them -- who above all else believed in and fought for a set of ideals.  Because they did, our country still stands; our founding principles still shine; nations around the world that once knew nothing but fear now know the blessings19 of freedom.

That is why we fight -- in hopes of a day when we no longer need to.  And that is why we gather at these solemn(庄严的,严肃的) remembrances and reminders20 of war -- to recommit ourselves to the hard work of peace.

There will be a day before long when this generation of servicemen and women step out of uniform.  They will build families and lives of their own.  God willing, they will grow old.  And someday, their children, and their children's children, will gather here to honor them.

Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)
 
END                                                                       
11:44 A.M. EST



点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 gene WgKxx     
n.遗传因子,基因
参考例句:
  • A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
  • The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。
2 vice NU0zQ     
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的
参考例句:
  • He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
  • They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。
3 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
4 humble ddjzU     
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
参考例句:
  • In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
  • Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
5 humbled 601d364ccd70fb8e885e7d73c3873aca     
adj. 卑下的,谦逊的,粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下,贬低
参考例句:
  • The examination results humbled him. 考试成绩挫了他的傲气。
  • I am sure millions of viewers were humbled by this story. 我相信数百万观众看了这个故事后都会感到自己的渺小。
6 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
7 hood ddwzJ     
n.头巾,兜帽,覆盖;v.罩上,以头巾覆盖
参考例句:
  • She is wearing a red cloak with a hood.她穿着一件红色带兜帽的披风。
  • The car hood was dented in.汽车的发动机罩已凹了进去。
8 marine 77Izo     
adj.海的;海生的;航海的;海事的;n.水兵
参考例句:
  • Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
  • When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时,他自愿参加了海军陆战队。
9 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
10 patriots cf0387291504d78a6ac7a13147d2f229     
爱国者,爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Abraham Lincoln was a fine type of the American patriots. 亚伯拉罕·林肯是美国爱国者的优秀典型。
  • These patriots would fight to death before they surrendered. 这些爱国者宁愿战斗到死,也不愿投降。
11 dedicated duHzy2     
adj.一心一意的;献身的;热诚的
参考例句:
  • He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
  • His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。
12 warriors 3116036b00d464eee673b3a18dfe1155     
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
  • The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。
13 arduous 5vxzd     
adj.艰苦的,费力的,陡峭的
参考例句:
  • We must have patience in doing arduous work.我们做艰苦的工作要有耐性。
  • The task was more arduous than he had calculated.这项任务比他所估计的要艰巨得多。
14 cemetery ur9z7     
n.坟墓,墓地,坟场
参考例句:
  • He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
  • His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。
15 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹
参考例句:
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
16 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
17 fulfill Qhbxg     
vt.履行,实现,完成;满足,使满意
参考例句:
  • If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了,你就要履行你的诺言。
  • This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。
18 condemnation 2pSzp     
n.谴责; 定罪
参考例句:
  • There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
  • The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。
19 blessings 52a399b218b9208cade790a26255db6b     
n.(上帝的)祝福( blessing的名词复数 );好事;福分;因祸得福
参考例句:
  • Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马,焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
20 reminders aaaf99d0fb822f809193c02b8cf69fba     
n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 );提醒…的东西;(告知该做某事的)通知单;提示信
参考例句:
  • The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
  • The strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. 罢工耽搁了催税单的投寄。
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