VOA标准英语2008年-Bush, Democrats Honor US War Dead

By Kent Klein
Washington
24 May 2008

On Monday, Americans honor their military war dead. In his weekly radio address Saturday, President George Bush says Americans should remember the sacrifices of U.S. troops past and present. Democrats¹ are also honoring those sacrifices, but are criticizing the administration's policies on the Iraq war and its veterans as well. VOA's Kent Klein reports from Washington.

In his radio talk, President Bush reminded Americans that the purpose of Monday's Memorial Day holiday is to recall the valor² of U.S. troops who have died in the line of duty.

"Throughout American history, this valor has preserved our way of life and our sacred freedoms. It was this valor that won our independence. It was this valor that removed the stain of slavery from our nation. And it was this valor that defeated the great totalitarian threats of the last century," said Mr. Bush.

The president also saluted³ members of the U.S. military who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"Today, the men and women of our military are facing a new totalitarian threat to our freedom," he said. "In Iraq, Afghanistan and other fronts around the world, they continue the proud legacy⁴ of those who came before them. They bear their responsibilities with quiet dignity and honor. And some have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense⁵ of their country."

In the Democratic Party response, congressional candidate John Boccieri also paid tribute to Americans in uniform. Boccieri is a state senator in Ohio, as well as a major and C-130 pilot in the Air Force Reserve, and he has flown missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He attacked the Bush administration and Republican presidential candidate John McCain for their policies on the Iraq war.

"Neither President Bush nor John McCain has offered an exit strategy," he said. "While the Iraq war is costing us greatly in human terms, the money American taxpayers⁶ are pouring into that country is staggering. We are spending more than $10 billion a month on the war, while the quality of life for millions of Americans goes from bad to worse."

John Boccieri also criticized President Bush for opposing legislation to guarantee full college scholarships for those who serve in the U.S. military for three years. The Senate passed the measure on Thursday, 75-to-22.

"Sadly, President Bush has threatened to veto the bill," he said. "Senator John McCain, who hopes to take his place, not only opposed it, but when given the opportunity to support his fellow veterans on the eve of Memorial Day weekend, did not even show up to vote nor express his concerns."

McCain, a veteran of the Vietnam war, was campaigning on Thursday. He opposes the bill, as does the Pentagon, out of concern that providing such a benefit after only three years of service would encourage people to leave the military after only one enlistment⁷. Instead, McCain and Republican colleagues proposed to increase benefits in conjunction with a veteran's length of service. Senate Democrats blocked that bill last week.

On Memorial Day, President Bush will place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery⁸. In his radio address, Mr. Bush asked all Americans to join in a moment of silent remembrance on Monday afternoon.

1 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 valor   

n.勇气，英勇

参考例句：

• Fortitude is distinct from valor.坚韧不拔有别于勇猛。
• Frequently banality is the better parts of valor.老生常谈往往比大胆打破常规更为人称道。

3 saluted   

v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂

参考例句：

• The sergeant stood to attention and saluted. 中士立正敬礼。
• He saluted his friends with a wave of the hand. 他挥手向他的朋友致意。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

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 taxpayers   

纳税人，纳税的机构( taxpayer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Finance for education comes from taxpayers. 教育经费来自纳税人。
• She was declaiming against the waste of the taxpayers' money. 她慷慨陈词猛烈抨击对纳税人金钱的浪费。

7 enlistment   

n.应征入伍，获得，取得

参考例句：

• Illness as a disqualification for enlistment in the army. 疾病是取消参军入伍资格的一个原因。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One obstacle to the enlistment of able professors was that they had to take holy orders. 征聘有才能的教授的障碍是他们必须成为牧师。 来自辞典例句

8 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。