VOA标准英语2011--USS New York: An Enduring Reminder of th

USS New York: An Enduring Reminder of the World Trade Center

A relic¹ of the fallen World Trade Center is in New York Harbor today, honoring in a vivid and lasting² way the memory of those who died 10 years ago.
The USS New York is built around seven and a half tons of very special steel - girders recovered from the wreckage³ of the World Trade Center. The U.S. Navy ship is a symbolic⁴ presence on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
William Herrmann, commander of the USS New York, said "It represents the resolve the U.S. has to overcome any obstacle, and it represents hope."
Many volunteer rescue workers risked their lives 10 years ago to save others at the World Trade Center disaster zone. They were invited to join the USS New York's crew to mark the anniversary of those tragic⁵ events.
Frank Silecchia drove from South Carolina to see the ship and express his gratitude⁶ to the servicemen and -women on the ship's crew. "I'm here to say thanks to these fine young men and women. They put their life on the line," he said.
The USS New York, an amphibious transport ship, was commissioned in 2009. It has 360 sailors, some of whom were only eight years old at the time of the 2001 attacks.
Sailor Ben McDowell, a USS New York crewman for more than two years, has a deep sense of pride in the ship and what it represents. "You put the steel in a warship⁷ [and] you've got a crew that exceeds expectations, what the Navy expects from us. I can't think of a better memorial," he said.
McDowell hopes all visitors to New York will feel safer when they see the USS New York keeping watch in the city's harbor, as a symbol of strength and national resolve.

1 relic   

n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物

参考例句：

• This stone axe is a relic of ancient times.这石斧是古代的遗物。
• He found himself thinking of the man as a relic from the past.他把这个男人看成是过去时代的人物。

2 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

3 wreckage   

n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏

参考例句：

• They hauled him clear of the wreckage.他们把他从形骸中拖出来。
• New states were born out of the wreckage of old colonial empires.新生国家从老殖民帝国的废墟中诞生。

4 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

5 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

6 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

7 warship   

n.军舰，战舰

参考例句：

• He is serving on a warship in the Pacific.他在太平洋海域的一艘军舰上服役。
• The warship was making towards the pier.军舰正驶向码头。