(单词翻译:单击)
From my family to yours, I'd like to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Like millions of Americans, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will spend the day eating great food, watching a little football, and reflecting on how truly lucky we truly are.
As Americans, each of us has our own list of things and people to be thankful for. But there are some blessings1 we all share.
We're especially grateful for the men and women who defend our country overseas. To all the service members eating Thanksgiving dinner far from your families: the American people are thinking of you today. And when you come home, we intend to make sure that we serve you as well as you're serving America.
We're also grateful for the Americans who are taking time out of their holiday to serve in soup kitchens and shelters, making sure their neighbors have a hot meal and a place to stay. This sense of mutual2 responsibility – the idea that I am my brother's keeper; that I am my sister's keeper – has always been a part of what makes our country special. And it's one of the reasons the Thanksgiving tradition has endured.
The very first Thanksgiving was a celebration of community during a time of great hardship, and we have followed that example ever since. Even when the fate of our union was far from certain – during a Civil War, two World Wars, a Great Depression – Americans drew strength from each other. They had faith that tomorrow would be better than today.
We're grateful that they did. As we gather around the table, we pause to remember the pilgrims4, pioneers, and patriots5 who helped make this country what it is. They faced impossible odds6, and yet somehow, they persevered7. Today, it's our turn.
I know that for many of you, this Thanksgiving is more difficult than most. But no matter how tough things are right now, we still give thanks for that most American of blessings, the chance to determine our own destiny8. The problems we face didn't develop overnight, and we won't solve them overnight. But we will solve them. All it takes is for each of us to do our part.
With all the partisanship9 and gridlock here in Washington, it's easy to wonder if such unity3 is really possible. But think about what's happening at this very moment: Americans from all walks of life are coming together as one people, grateful for the blessings of family, community, and country.
If we keep that spirit alive, if we support each other, and look out for each other, and remember that we're all in this together, then I know that we too will overcome the challenges of our time.
So today, I'm thankful to serve as your President and Commander-and-Chief. I'm thankful that my daughters get to grow up in this great country of ours. And I'm thankful for the chance to do my part, as together, we make tomorrow better than today.
Thanks, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
1 blessings | |
n.(上帝的)祝福( blessing的名词复数 );好事;福分;因祸得福 | |
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2 mutual | |
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的 | |
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3 unity | |
n.团结,联合,统一;和睦,协调 | |
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4 pilgrims | |
香客,朝圣者( pilgrim的名词复数 ) | |
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5 patriots | |
爱国者,爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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6 odds | |
n.让步,机率,可能性,比率;胜败优劣之别 | |
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7 persevered | |
v.坚忍,坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8 destiny | |
n.命运,定数,天命 | |
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9 Partisanship | |
n. 党派性, 党派偏见 | |
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