(July 1,2006)
Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a safe and happy 4th of July
weekend. I'm looking forward to spending Independence Day with members of our
Armed Forces and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. These brave men
and women risk their lives to defend the ideals of our founding generation, and
I will have the honor of thanking many of them personally for their service in
freedom's cause.
In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's
Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great
anniversary festival. He wrote that "this anniversary should be commemorated
with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires, and
illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time
forward, forever more."
Since then, generations of Americans have done just that. Each year we look
forward to the family gatherings and the grand celebrations that take place
across the Nation on the 4th of July. And amid the music and barbeques and
fireworks, we give thanks for our freedom, and we honor the bravery and
sacrifices of all those who have made that freedom possible.
On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our Nation's
founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and live in freedom.
Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the lives and achievements of
our founders, and we have learned once again that they possessed extraordinary
talents, as well as ordinary human failings, which only makes their
accomplishments all the more remarkable.
For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was far from
certain. They were certain only of the cause they served -- the belief that
freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The strength of their
convictions made possible the birth of the free Nation in which we are blessed
to live.
On the 4th of July we also honor the sacrifices made by each American
generation to secure the promises of the Declaration of Independence. For more
than two centuries, from the camps of Valley Forge, to the mountains of
Afghanistan, Americans have served and sacrificed for the principles of our
founding.
Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our freedom against
determined and ruthless enemies. At this hour, the men and women of our Armed
Forces are facing danger in distant places, carrying out their missions with all
the skill and honor we expect of them. And their families are enduring long
separations from their loved ones with great courage and dignity. Our troops and
our military families deserve all our support and gratitude, and on this 4th of
July weekend, I ask every American to find a way to thank those who defend our
freedom. To find out about efforts in your community, please visit the website
AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
As we celebrate the 4th, we also remember that the promises of liberty
contained in our Declaration apply to all people. Because Americans believe that
freedom is an unalienable right, we value the freedom of every person in every
nation. And because we are committed to the God-given worth of every life, we
strive to promote respect for human dignity. Today, all who live in tyranny and
all who yearn for freedom can know that America stands with them.
As citizens of this good Nation, we should be proud of our heritage, grateful
for our liberty, and confident in our future. Two-hundred-and-thirty years after
America declared its independence, the spirit of '76 lives on. And our Nation
remains proud to carry freedom's torch. We still place our trust in the
protections of divine providence. We still pledge our lives, our fortunes, and
our sacred honor to freedom's defense. And we still believe in the promise of
freedom for all.
Thank you for listening.
(来源:http://www.weeklyradioaddress.com/
英语点津姗姗编辑)