voa标准英语2008年-Bush Marks Final Veteran's Day as Commander In

Americans paused Tuesday to honor the nation's military veterans. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports President Bush remembered their sacrifice in a speech delivered from the deck of an aircraft carrier that first saw combat in World War II.
　

President Bush holds his hand to his heart during the playing of the National Anthem1 in New York, Tuesday, 11 Nov 2008

In Europe and Australia, the 11th of November is called Remembrance Day or Armistice² Day. In the United States, it is Veteran's Day.

The observance began to mark the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

But for Americans, it is a time to honor all those who served in the nation's military - from the Revolutionary War to the present.

The President of the United States traditionally marks the occasion with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery³, just across the Potomac River from the White House.

But President Bush chose a different venue⁴ for his final Veteran's Day as commander in chief. He spoke⁵ on the deck of the USS Intrepid⁶, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that serves as a military and space museum in New York.

"Today, we send a clear message to all who have worn the uniform: thank you for your courage, thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for standing⁷ up when your nation needed you most," Mr. Bush said.

Vice-President Dick Cheney took Mr. Bush's place at Arlington National Cemetery, and placed a wreath at a memorial to the nation's war dead - the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Cheney spoke of the challenges facing the active duty military personnel of today, emphasizing their determination to make the world a safer place.
　

President-elect Obama (l) and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, director, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs lay a wreath at the Bronze Soldiers Memorial in Chicago, 11 Nov 2008

"There is no mystery behind the endurance and the success of American liberty. It is because in every generation, from the Revolutionary period to this very hour, brave Americans have stepped forward and served honorably in the armed forces of the United States," Cheney said.

Similar, though smaller scale, observances were held at military cemeteries⁸ and war memorials across the country. President-elect Barack Obama took part in one such commemoration, laying a wreath at a ceremony in Chicago.

In a written statement, Mr. Obama said all Americans are united in honoring the extraordinary service and selfless sacrifice of the nation's veterans. And he vowed⁹ that as the next commander in chief, he will keep America's sacred trust with all those who have served in the military.

1 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

2 armistice   

n.休战，停战协定

参考例句：

• The two nations signed an armistice.两国签署了停火协议。
• The Italian armistice is nothing but a clumsy trap.意大利的停战不过是一个笨拙的陷阱。

3 cemetery   

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。

4 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

5 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。

6 intrepid   

adj.无畏的，刚毅的

参考例句：

• He is not really satisfied with his intrepid action.他没有真正满意他的无畏行动。
• John's intrepid personality made him a good choice for team leader.约翰勇敢的个性适合作领导工作。

7 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

8 cemeteries   

n.（非教堂的）墓地，公墓( cemetery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It's morbid to dwell on cemeteries and such like. 不厌其烦地谈论墓地以及诸如此类的事是一种病态。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• In other districts the proximity of cemeteries seemed to aggravate the disease. 在其它地区里，邻近墓地的地方，时疫大概都要严重些。 来自辞典例句

9 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。