2006年VOA标准英语-President Bush Says Fighting Overseas Makes Ame

By Scott Stearns
White House
07 October 2006

 
George W. Bush, Oct. 7, 2006
  
U.S. President George Bush says American forces fighting overseas will ultimately make the world a more peaceful place. Mr. Bush spoke¹ at the christening of an aircraft carrier named for his father, the former President George Herbert Walker Bush.

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In explaining America's fight against terrorism, President Bush often returns to the challenges that faced Americans during the Second World War.

It is a personal connection, as his father flew 58 combat missions, and was shot down as a Navy pilot in the Pacific. George Herbert Walker Bush ejected from his burning aircraft, and was rescued by a submarine.

President Bush says his father's generation taught Imperial Japan and Nazi² Germany a telling lesson: "that there is no soldier as strong as the soldier who fights for a free future for his children."

President Bush says freedom is again under attack, from terrorists, and Americans today are proving themselves every bit as brave and selfless.

"Today, they serve in distant lands and on far seas, from the islands of Southeast Asia to the Horn of Africa, to the mountains of Afghanistan and in Iraq. And once again, with perseverance³ and courage and confidence in the power of freedom, a new generation of Americans will leave a more hopeful and more peaceful world for generations to come," he said.
 

General view of the christening ceremonies for aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in Newport News, Va.  
  
President Bush spoke at the christening of the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, a 90,000-ton ship named for his father.

The elder President Bush called the honor every naval⁴ aviator's dream come true. He joined his son in praising today's armed forces, saying they are as determined⁵ as those who fought in the Second World War, veterans who have come to be known as "the Greatest Generation."

"In my humble⁶ view, we were no greater than the kids who serve today. All volunteer, all fighting," he said.

Much of the Bush family joined in the ceremonies at a Navy yard in the eastern state of Virginia. The current president poked⁷ fun at his mother, the outspoken⁸ former first lady.

"The George H.W. Bush is the latest in the Nimitz line of aircraft carriers. She is unrelenting. She is unshakable. She is unyielding. She is unstoppable. As a matter of fact, she probably should have been named the Barbara Bush," he said.

Six-thousand sailors will eventually serve on the $6 billion carrier, which is expected to be fully⁹ commissioned in 2008.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 Nazi   

n.纳粹分子，adj.纳粹党的，纳粹的

参考例句：

• They declare the Nazi regime overthrown and sue for peace.他们宣布纳粹政权已被推翻，并出面求和。
• Nazi closes those war criminals inside their concentration camp.纳粹把那些战犯关在他们的集中营里。

3 perseverance   

n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠

参考例句：

• It may take some perseverance to find the right people.要找到合适的人也许需要有点锲而不舍的精神。
• Perseverance leads to success.有恒心就能胜利。

4 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

5 determined   

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。

6 humble   

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。

7 poked   

v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交

参考例句：

• She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. 她用胳膊肘顶他的肋部。
• His elbow poked out through his torn shirt sleeve. 他的胳膊从衬衫的破袖子中露了出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 outspoken   

adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的

参考例句：

• He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
• She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。

9 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。