VOA标准英语2011--Terrorist Attack Victims and Heroes Reme

Terrorist Attack Victims and Heroes Remembered in New York

On a day as clear as September 11, 2001, President Barack Obama and former president George W. Bush walked with their wives to the memorial pools built in the footprints of the former twin towers of the World Trade Center. They bowed their heads and hugged family members of some of those killed.
Streets around the site were crowded with visitors, tourists and family members. One woman could speak only three words. Asked why she was there today, she responded simply, "For my son."
At 8:46 a.m., there was a moment of silence to remember when the first plane struck the World Trade Center's North Tower. President Obama, standing¹ before white oak trees newly planted on the memorial plaza², read a psalm³ from the Bible as the ceremony began.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," he said. "Therefore, we will not fear even though the earth be removed, the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
Family members in New York read the names of the 2,983 people killed. Nicholas Gorki never knew his father, Sebastian.
“I never met [him] because I was in my mother’s belly," he said. "I love you, father. I love you for loving the idea of having me. You gave me the gift of life, and I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me.”
Talat Hamdani spoke⁴ of her son, Mohammed Salman Hamdani, one of an estimated several-hundred Muslim victims of the attacks. He was an EMT and lab tech on his way to work that morning who chose instead to go to the World Trade Center to help.
"You rushed into the burning towers to rescue humanity and transcended⁵ the barriers of race, faith and ethnicity, and gave the ultimate sacrifice," said Hamdani.
Family members, friends and New York officials took part in the dedication⁶ of the new memorial at the so-called Ground Zero. The names of the victims are cut in bronze panels overlooking the waterfalls rushing into the two pools. The memorial opens to the public on Monday.

1 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。

2 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

3 psalm   

n.赞美诗，圣诗

参考例句：

• The clergyman began droning the psalm.牧师开始以单调而低沈的语调吟诵赞美诗。
• The minister droned out the psalm.牧师喃喃地念赞美诗。

4 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。

5 transcended   

超出或超越（经验、信念、描写能力等）的范围( transcend的过去式和过去分词 )； 优于或胜过…

参考例句：

• He wanted assurance that he had transcended what was inherently ambiguous. 他要证明，他已经超越了本来就是混淆不清的事情。
• It transcended site to speak to universal human concerns. 它超越了场所的局限，表达了人类共同的心声。

6 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。