VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Remembers Americans Killed in Afghan

By Paula Wolfson
The White House
26 October 2009

 
President Barack Obama speaking at the Jacksonville Naval¹ Air Station in Florida, 26 Oct 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama remembered the 14 Americans killed on Monday in two helicopter crashes in Afghanistan, saying they gave their lives to protect their country. Word of their deaths reached Washington in the midst of a detailed² White House review of the president's Afghanistan war strategy.

It was one of the deadliest days for Americans in Afghanistan since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Among the victims, 11 troops and three civilians³ who worked at the American embassy in Kabul.

President Obama said the nation mourns their passing.

"They were willing to risk their lives, in this case, to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven⁴ for al-Qaida and its extremist allies. And today, they gave their lives, and their last full measure of devotion, to protect ours," Mr. Obama said.

The comments came in a brief address to military personnel and their families at a Navy base in Florida. The president told the audience at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville that the United States has an obligation to its latest war dead.

"Now, it is our duty as a nation to keep their memory alive in our hearts and to carry on their work - to take care of their families, to keep the country safe, to stand up for the values we hold dear and the freedom they defended," Mr. Obama said.

The president traveled to Jacksonville after another closed door meeting at the White House with top advisers⁵ on Afghanistan.

He took note of the strategy review in his remarks at the Naval base. And he made a vow⁶ to U.S. military members.

"I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it is necessary, we will back you up to the hilt, because you deserve the strategy, the clear mission, the defined goals and the equipment and support you need to get the job done," Mr. Obama said.

The president is considering several options for his revised Afghanistan strategy, including a substantial increase in the number of troops deployed⁷.

Mr. Obama has said he intends to reach a decision in the coming weeks. But a few days ago, he told NBC television that he might not make an announcement until after the Afghan presidential run-off election scheduled for November 7.

1 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

2 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

3 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

4 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

5 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

6 vow   

n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓

参考例句：

• My parents are under a vow to go to church every Sunday.我父母许愿，每星期日都去做礼拜。
• I am under a vow to drink no wine.我已立誓戒酒。

7 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。