英语慢速听力【646-648】Bush Remembered as ‘Last Great Soldier-Statesman’
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AS IT IS
Bush Remembered as ‘Last Great Soldier-Statesman’
December 05, 2018
State Funeral of Former President George H.W. Bush
Presidents, a king and queen, a prince, a chancellor and a handyman from Maine joined family and friends to celebrate the life of President George H.W. Bush, Wednesday.
The day began with a 21-gun salute and the song Hail to the Chief as Bush’s flag-covered casket came down from the Capitol where he had lain in state. The vehicle carrying his casket passed by the White House where Bush had served the country as its 41st president.
At the National Cathedral in Washington D.C, President Donald Trump sat next to former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and their wives. Across the aisle were Bush’s son George W. Bush, the country’s 43rd president, and the rest of the Bush family.
Presidential historian Jon Meacham called Bush “America’s last great soldier-statesman” in the first of four eulogies. Meacham described how Bush was shot down over the Pacific Ocean as a 20-year-old Navy pilot. He reminded others of how the event shaped Bush’s mission in life.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney praised Bush for his work as a leader. He credited Bush for working to end the Cold War, uniting Germany, leading an international coalition to free Kuwait from Iraq and creating the North American Free Trade Agreement. He added, “I believe it will be said that no occupant of the Oval Office was more courageous, more principled and more honorable than George Herbert Walker Bush.”
Another family friend, former Senator Alan Simpson, brought laughter to the full cathedral with his story of loyalty and friendship.
George W. Bush remembered his father as “the brightest of a thousand points of light.” He said his father was someone who “made his children believe anything was possible.” In a lighter moment, Bush said, “To us he was close to perfect, but not totally perfect…The man couldn’t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli.” The late president was known for his dislike of the vegetable.
The son broke down at the end of his eulogy while talking about the time his parents lost a young daughter. He added, “Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand again.”
The kinder and gentler tone of the state funeral had been set much earlier. The Bush family invited President Donald Trump to attend the event. Trump was not invited to Barbara Bush’s funeral in April or the recent funeral of Senator John McCain.
Earlier in the day, the president tweeted, “This is not a funeral, this is a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life. He will be missed!”
Representatives from countries around the word included King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, Prince Charles of Britain, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Only people with an invitation could attend the funeral in the cathedral. Among them was Mike Lovejoy, a man who has been fixing things at the Bush’s summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine for many years.
At the end of the state funeral, Bush’s casket returned to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
On Thursday, Bush will be buried on the grounds of his presidential library at Texas A&M University. There, he will be buried next to his wife Barbara Bush and his daughter Robin.
I’m Mario Ritter.
Hai Do wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor.
Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
handyman –n. a person skilled in doing small jobs often around a house
casket –n. a box used for burial, a coffin
lie in state –v. when the body of an official is placed in a state building for the public to pay their respects
aisle –n. a passage between one group of seats in a church (theater or airplane) and another
eulogy –n. a speech that praises someone who has died
occupant –n. a person who holds a position at a particular time
principled –adj. having strong beliefs about what is right and wrong
distinguished –adj. known by many people because of some quality or achievement
repose –n. to rest or be lain somewhere
library –n. a place where books, magazines, recordings and other media are available for people to use or borrow
AS IT IS
Bush's Eulogy to His Father, George H.W. Bush
December 05, 2018
Former President George W. Bush speaks at the State Funeral for his father, former President George H.W. Bush, at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Editor's Note: Former President George W. Bush, America's 43rd president, delivered an eulogy to his father, George H.W. Bush, the country's 41st president, at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
"Distinguished guests, including our Presidents and First Ladies, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and friends: Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I, and our families, thank you all for being here.
I once heard it said of man that 'The idea is to die young as late as possible.'
At age 85, a favorite pastime of George H. W. Bush was firing up his boat, the Fidelity, and opening up the three-300 horsepower engines to fly — joyfully fly — across the Atlantic, with Secret Service boats straining to keep up.
At 90, George H. W. Bush parachuted out of an aircraft and landed on the grounds of St. Ann’s by the Sea in Kennebunkport, Maine — the church where his mom was married and where he’d worshipped often. Mother liked to say he chose the location just in case the chute didn’t open.
In his 90s, he took great delight when his closest pal, James A. Baker, smuggled a bottle of Grey Goose vodka into his hospital room. Apparently, it paired well with the steak Baker had delivered from Morton’s.
To his very last days, dad’s life was instructive. As he aged, he taught us how to grow old with dignity, humor, and kindness — and, when the Good Lord finally called, how to meet Him with courage and with joy in the promise of what lies ahead.
One reason dad knew how to die young is that he almost did it — twice. When he was a teenager, a staph infection nearly took his life. A few years later he was alone in the Pacific on a life raft, praying that his rescuers would find him before the enemy did.
God answered those prayers. It turned out He had other plans for George H.W. Bush. For dad’s part, I think those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life. And he vowed to live every day to the fullest.
Dad was always busy — a man in constant motion — but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him. He taught us to love the outdoors. He loved watching dogs flush a covey. He loved landing the elusive striper. And once confined to a wheelchair, he seemed happiest sitting in his favorite perch on the back porch at Walker’s Point contemplating the majesty of the Atlantic. The horizons he saw were bright and hopeful. He was a genuinely optimistic man. And that optimism guided his children and made each of us believe that anything was possible.
He continually broadened his horizons with daring decisions. He was a patriot. After high school, he put college on hold and became a Navy fighter pilot as World War II broke out. Like many of his generation, he never talked about his service until his time as a public figure forced his hand. We learned of the attack on Chichi Jima, the mission completed, the shoot-down. We learned of the death of his crewmates, whom he thought about throughout his entire life. And we learned of his rescue.
And then, another audacious decision; he moved his young family from the comforts of the East Coast to Odessa, Texas. He and mom adjusted to their arid surroundings quickly. He was a tolerant man. After all, he was kind and neighborly to the women with whom he, mom and I shared a bathroom in our small duplex — even after he learned their profession — ladies of the night.
Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree. And he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person — and usually found it.
Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary; that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values, like faith and family. He strongly believed that it was important to give back to the community and country in which one lived. He recognized that serving others enriched the giver’s soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light.
In victory, he shared credit. When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is part of living a full life, but taught us never to be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen.
None of his disappointments could compare with one of life’s greatest tragedies, the loss of a young child. Jeb and I were too young to remember the pain and agony he and mom felt when our three-year-old sister died. We only learned later that Dad, a man of quiet faith, prayed for her daily. He was sustained by the love of the Almighty and the real and enduring love of our mom. Dad always believed that one day he would hug his precious Robin again.
He loved to laugh, especially at himself. He could tease and needle, but never out of malice. He placed great value on a good joke. That’s why he chose Simpson to speak. On email, he had a circle of friends with whom he shared or received the latest jokes. His grading system for the quality of the joke was classic George Bush. The rare 7s and 8s were considered huge winners — most of them off-color.
George Bush knew how to be a true and loyal friend. He honored and nurtured his many friendships with his generous and giving soul. There exist thousands of handwritten notes encouraging, or sympathizing, or thanking his friends and acquaintances.
He had an enormous capacity to give of himself. Many a person would tell you that dad became a mentor and a father figure in their life. He listened and he consoled. He was their friend. I think of Don Rhodes, Taylor Blanton, Jim Nantz, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and perhaps the unlikeliest of all, the man who defeated him, Bill Clinton. My siblings and I refer to the guys in this group as “brothers from other mothers.”
He taught us that a day was not meant to be wasted. He played golf at a legendary pace. I always wondered why he insisted on speed golf. He was a good golfer.
Well, here’s my conclusion: he played fast so that he could move on to the next event, to enjoy the rest of the day, to expend his enormous energy, to live it all. He was born with just two settings: full throttle, then sleep.
He taught us what it means to be a wonderful father, grandfather and great grand-father. He was firm in his principles and supportive as we began to seek our own ways. He encouraged and comforted, but never steered. We tested his patience — I know I did — but he always responded with the great gift of unconditional love.
Last Friday, when I was told he had minutes to live, I called him. The guy who answered the phone said, “I think he can hear you, but hasn’t say anything most of the day. I said, “Dad, I love you, and you’ve been a wonderful father.” And the last words he would ever say on earth were, 'I love you, too.'
To us, he was close to perfect. But, not totally perfect. His short game was lousy. He wasn’t exactly Fred Astaire on the dance floor. The man couldn’t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli. And by the way, he passed these genetic defects along to us.
Finally, every day of his 73 years of marriage, Dad taught us all what it means to be a great husband. He married his sweetheart. He adored her. He laughed and cried with her. He was dedicated to her totally.
In his old age, dad enjoyed watching police show reruns, volume on high, all the while holding mom’s hand. After mom died, dad was strong, but all he really wanted to do was to hold mom’s hand, again.
Of course, dad taught me another special lesson. He showed me what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage, and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country. When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great President of the United States — a diplomat of unmatched skill, a commander-in-chief of formidable accomplishment and a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor.
In his Inaugural Address, the 41st President of the United States said this: 'We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it. What do we want the men and women who work with us to say when we are no longer there? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us? Or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better, and stayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?'
Well, dad — we’re going remember you for exactly that and so much more.
And we’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So, through our tears, let us see the blessings of knowing and loving you — a great and noble man, and the best father a son or daughter could have.
And in our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding mom’s hand again."
*【648】AS IT IS
Alaska Continues with Earthquake Repairs
December 05, 2018
A dump truck and excavator work to repair a collapsed road in Anchorage, Alaska after an earthquake struck November 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
The American city of Anchorage, Alaska is recovering from a powerful earthquake Friday that damaged public buildings, homes and roads.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused buildings to sway. But there have been no reports of deaths, serious injuries or widespread damage.
Officials at the Port of Anchorage say the quake has not interfered with transportation of food and other supplies.
“The ships are coming in on schedule, the supply lines are at this point uninterrupted,” Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz told reporters Sunday.
The scenic Glenn Highway was probably the road hit hardest by the earthquake. It links the state’s largest city to communities in the north.
Traffic has been heavy and slow-moving since the quake. Drivers are being redirected around road damage. Work crews are trying to rebuild areas where the quake created large holes in the road or caused other damage. Falling rocks also are a danger on some roads.
Residents still nervous after the major quake have been upset further by more than 1,700 aftershocks. Several have measured 4.5 magnitude or greater.
"Anything that moves, you're on your last nerve," said Anchorage resident Lyn Matthews, whose home suffered structural damage, including a sunken foundation.
Alaska put in place strict building rules after a 9.2 earthquake in 1964. That was the second most powerful earthquake on record.
Federal officials declared a public health emergency on Monday to guarantee that federal medical assistance money will continue. Mental health aid is also available for people traumatized by the disaster.
"Remember, whatever you're feeling right now is valid," Anchorage Health and Human Services director Natasha Pineda said at a weekend briefing.
Earthquake experts say there is a 4 percent chance of another earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater in the first week after the first quake.
"The chance is very small, but it's not impossible," said U.S. Geological Survey Geophysicist Paul Caruso.
I’m Caty Weaver.
The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
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Words in This Story
uninterrupted –adj. not stopped or blocked
scenic –adj. having a pleasing view of natural scenery such as mountains or valleys
foundation –n. the base that supports a building
strict –adj. describing something that must be obeyed
traumatized –adj. something that causes someone to be upset often in a serious way
valid –adj. fair or reasonable
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