2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Honors Troops at Christmas

By Paula Wolfson
Washington
24 December 2006

President Bush is spending the long Christmas weekend in seclusion¹ with his family at Camp David - the presidential mountain retreat. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports on Christmas Eve, he paid tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military.

President Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, addresses the media about his visit with wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center

The president rose early for a Christmas ritual - a series of calls to members of the armed services. He spoke² with ten servicemen and women in all, including two from each branch of the military. Most are deployed⁴ in either Afghanistan or Iraq.

Spokeswoman Dana Perino quotes the president as saying he wanted to let them how much he appreciates their service, and how proud he is of each of them.

The sentiments echo those in the president's annual Christmas message to the armed forces. "Each of you is a volunteer who is answering a great call at an historic moment. You choose to serve a cause greater than yourself, and your courage and character are an inspiration for all who love freedom. By confronting the terrorists and bringing liberty to the oppressed you are making the American people safer and laying the foundations of peace for generations to come," he said.

In the taped message, Mr. Bush also thanked the families left behind, and said he joins them in praying for the safe return of the their loved ones in harm's way. "For generations the men and women of America's armed forces have served around the world fighting for freedom and keeping our nation safe. You continue that tradition today and your work makes America proud," he said.

On Saturday, the president met at Camp David with Defense⁵ Secretary Robert Gates, who recently returned from his first visit to Iraq. Mr. Bush will continue consultations⁶ on his Iraq policy after Christmas during a week-long stay at his Texas ranch³. He is expected to announce a revised strategy for dealing⁷ with the situation in Iraq early in 2007.

1 seclusion   

n.隐遁，隔离

参考例句：

• She liked to sunbathe in the seclusion of her own garden.她喜欢在自己僻静的花园里晒日光浴。
• I live very much in seclusion these days.这些天我过着几乎与世隔绝的生活。

2 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。

3 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

4 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。