VOA常速英语2007年-Bush Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys

By Scott Stearns
Washington
20 November 2007

Thursday is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. So it is time for the American president to take part in the annual ritual¹ of sparing the life of the National Thanksgiving Turkey. VOA White House Correspondent² Scott Stearns has the story.

Turkey is the traditional meal at Thanksgiving. And yet every holiday for the last 60 years, at least one bird has escaped the butcher's axe³ with a ceremonial White House pardon.

This year, two National Thanksgiving Turkeys traveled from the Midwest state of Indiana for President Bush to spare their lives in the Rose Garden. "May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling and may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace."

After their pardon, the two turkeys flew first class to Disney World where they will be the honorary grand marshals⁴ of the Florida amusement park's Thanksgiving Day parade. The birds, named May and Flower, will retire to a petting zoo at the park.

In his remarks, President Bush gave thanks for a good harvest, a strong economy, and the courage of the men and women of the U.S. military.

"They have worn proudly the uniform of our country. They have offered their lives in our defense⁵. And each year, thousands more volunteer to join their noble ranks to keep us safe. And so on this Thanksgiving we keep their families and their loved ones in our prayers and in our thoughts."

The president and Mrs. Bush will spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the presidential retreat⁶ at Camp David.

1 ritual   

adj.例行的，老规矩的，惯常的

参考例句：

• This was the monthly ritual.这是每月一次的例规。
• I realized that here the conventions required me to make the ritual noises.我意识到此时按照惯例我应该说些客套话。

2 correspondent   

n.记者，通信者；adj.符合的，一致的，相当的

参考例句：

• He volunteered as a correspondent for the war.他自愿担任作报道这次战争的记者。
• The result was correspondent with my wishes.结果与我的愿望是一致的。

3 axe   

n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减

参考例句：

• Be careful with that sharp axe.那把斧子很锋利，你要当心。
• The edge of this axe has turned.这把斧子卷了刃了。

4 marshals   

元帅( marshal的名词复数 )； 典礼官； 执法官； 消防局长

参考例句：

• The grand prix is controlled by well-trained marshals. 大奖赛由训练有素的典礼官协调指挥。
• It marshals the same antibody response to both of them. 它对两者作出的抗体反应都是一样的。

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 retreat   

n.休息寓所，撤退，隐居；v.撤退，向后倾

参考例句：

• You cannot retreat from your responsibility in this affair.你不能回避在这一事件中的责任。
• They knew when to attack and when to retreat.他们知道什么时候进攻和什么时候撤退。