Hi, everybody. In 1620, a small band of pilgrims came to this continent, refugees who had fled persecution1 and violence in their native land. Nearly 400 years later, we remember their part in the American story-and we honor the men and women who helped them in their time of need.
Thanksgiving is a day for food and football, and for hoping the turkey didn't turn out too dry. But it's also a day to count our blessings2 and give back to others-a reminder3 that no matter our circumstances, all of us have something to be grateful for. Maybe it's good health, a new addition to the family, or a child taking a next step toward college or a career. Maybe it's a new job, or long overdue4 raise. Maybe it's something as simple, and as important, as the chance to spend time with the people who matter most.
Of course, every American can be thankful for the chance to live in a country founded on the belief that all of us are created equal. And as President, I'm thankful that I get to see the best of America every day-the courage of our troops and veterans, the resilience of our families, and the basic goodness of the ordinary people who call this country. <A hRef=http://www.zequeka.cn/MiNifoRm.Html>蘇州中小學生作文培訓班</a>
On this uniquely American holiday, we also remember that so much of our greatness comes from our generosity5. There's the generosity of Americans who volunteer at food banks and shelters, making sure that no one goes hungry on a day when so many plates are full. There's the generosity of Americans who take part not just in Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but Giving Tuesday-recognizing that in the holiday season, what you give is as important as what you get.
And I've been touched by the generosity of the Americans who've written me letters and emails in recent weeks, offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality6 of ISIL.
Now, people should remember that no refugee can enter our borders until they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States. That was the case before Paris, and it's the case now. And what happened in Paris hasn't stopped Americans from opening their arms anyway.
One woman from Pennsylvania wrote me to say, "Money is tight for us in my household . . . But i have a guest room. I have a pantry full of food. We can do this." Another woman from Florida told me her family's history dates back to the Mayflower-and she said that welcoming others is part of "what it means to be an American." <a hReF=http://www.zequeka.cn/miNiform.hTml>家長推薦的蘇州吳中作文輔導班</a>
Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims-men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families. What makes America America is that we offer that chance. We turn Lady Liberty's light to the world, and widen our circle of concern to say that all God's children are worthy7 of our compassion8 and care. That's part of what makes this the greatest country on Earth.
I hope that you and your family have wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by loved ones, and full of joy and gratitude9. And together, may we all play our own small part in the American story, and write a next chapter that future generations can be thankful for.
From the Obama family to yours, have a great Thanksgiving.
1 persecution
<a hrEf=http://www.zequeka.cn/miniform.html>提分快的蘇州初中作文閱讀培訓</a>
n. 迫害,煩擾
參考例句：
He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害時期逃離了法國。 Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他們的迫害只激起人民對他們的反抗。
2 blessings
n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名詞復數(shù) )；好事；福分；因禍得福
參考例句：
Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失馬，焉知非福。 來自《簡明英漢詞典》 We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我們不靠老天保佑。 來自《現(xiàn)代漢英綜合大詞典》
3 reminder
n.提醒物，紀念品；暗示，提示
參考例句：
I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到圖書館的催還單。 It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.總是得發(fā)給她一份最后催繳通知，她才付應該交的房租。
4 overdue
adj.過期的，到期未付的；早該有的，遲到的
參考例句：
The plane is overdue and has been delayed by the bad weather.飛機晚點了，被壞天氣耽擱了。 The landlady is angry because the rent is overdue.女房東生氣了，因為房租過期未付。
5 generosity
n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行為
參考例句：
We should match their generosity with our own.我們應該像他們一樣慷慨大方。 We adore them for their generosity.我們欽佩他們的慷慨。
6 brutality
n.野蠻的行為，殘忍，野蠻
參考例句：
The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之殘暴使公眾大為震驚。 a general who was infamous for his brutality 因殘忍而惡名昭彰的將軍
7 worthy
adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有價值的
參考例句：
I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我認為他不值得信賴。 There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.沒有值得一提的事發(fā)生。
8 compassion
n.同情，憐憫
參考例句：
He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地憐憫起那個可憐的人來。 Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她對于沒有母親的孩子們充滿了憐憫心。
9 gratitude
adj.感激，感謝
參考例句：
I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的謝意。 She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的淚珠禁不住沿著面頰流了下來。
《奧巴馬講話 祝福人民感恩節(jié)快樂》添加時間：2024-12-14；更新時間：2025-03-09
