2017年7月24日輔導會主任委員李翔宙出席美國海外作戰退伍軍人協會第118屆年會致詞

 

2017年7月24日輔導會主任委員李翔宙出席美國海外作戰退伍軍人協會第118屆年會致詞

達飛總會長，各位貴賓，各位女士、先生：

Commander in Chief Duffy, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon,

開場

本人很高興並深感榮幸能夠受邀在此致詞。謹代表中華民國國軍退除役官兵輔導委員會向各位對於致力服務及照顧退伍軍人的努力與成就致上誠摯的敬意。

I am filled with great pleasure and even greater honor to be invited here to speak today. On behalf of the Veterans Affairs Council, Republic of China, I would like to give my highest respect and commendations to VFW for your dedication to your Veterans.

闡述兩會友好關係與信念

中華民國國軍退除役官兵輔導委員會自1980年與貴會結盟迄今已長達37年。促成貴我雙方建立這樣一個堅定友誼關係的原因，乃是因我們所共同信仰的價值觀，也就是自由、民主、人權、和平與國際正義。

The Veteran Affairs Council of Republic of China and the VFW have bonded in brotherhood relationship since 1980. The main reason that we have established this long lasting friendship is that we share the same values and beliefs in freedom, democracy human right, peace and international justice.

同時，我們亦都致力為那些奉獻青春與犧牲性命，捍衛普世價值與國家的軍人及其眷屬，爭取渠等應有的尊崇、福利或補償，以及對為國捐軀者之緬懷。因此，讓我們共同勉勵，為那些曾經為國家犧牲奉獻的退伍軍人及其眷屬提供更完善的服務與照顧。

Furthermore, we are both committed to strive for respect, benefits, compensations, and commemorations for our soldiers and their families. They contributed their prime years to military service. Soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to fight for valued causes and benefits defending their country.

闡述中美兩國深厚情誼

台灣與美國不論在政治、經貿及軍事安全都有十分緊密的關係。換句話說，台灣的發展與美國在亞太地區的利益息息相關，密不可分。因此，協助台灣持續從事軍事轉型、提昇適足的自我防衛能力、加入經貿夥伴協定以及相關國際組織，正是促進此一利益得以實現的基礎。

As you know, Taiwan and the US have always had profound relations in politics, economic & trade and military security. In other words, Taiwan’s development is closely tied to US interests in the Asia Pacific region. Therefore, helping Taiwan to continuously undergo military transformation, to gain appropriate self-defense capability and to join economic & trade pacts and other international organizations, is crucial for our common interests.

強調台灣的戰略地位與角色

台灣位居貴國西太平洋防線第一島鏈中央位置，其戰略地位相信各位都非常瞭解。因此，台灣會在上述的基礎之上，扮演和平製造者，同時積極增進亞太區域安全與和平，以及促進區域經濟的繁榮。

Taiwan is situated in the center of the first island chain in your Western Pacific Defense line; our strategic value is irreplaceable. In return, under those consolidate basis, Taiwan can be more involved in enhancing the regional security, as well as the peace and economic development in the Asia-Pacific.

此外，近年台灣更積極扮演人道協助與災害救援的角色，以善盡台灣身為國際社會一員的責任與義務。

Over the years, Taiwan has actively taken on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief roles in order to fulfill our responsibility and obligation as an international society member.

隱喻互勉

在此，我要用一個隱喻做為講演的結束。一個繪圖圓規能夠劃出其腳長所及的最大圓形，但前題是要支點不動，而腳持續移動。如果一個人無法圓夢，那是因為他只是心在動，而腳卻不動。

I would like to use a metaphor as my closing remark. A drawing compass can draw a full circle as big as it can reach, as long as the center stays grounded while the foot keeps moving. But if a person can’t bring his dream to full circle. It’s because his feet are grounded and his heart keeps moving.

貴我兩會致力照顧退伍軍人的宗旨就是我們的願力，也就我們的心。只要我們的腳持續為服務及照顧退伍軍人向前邁進，我們終究能夠為增進世界和平劃出一個完美的圓來。

The determination that the VAC and VFW both share in taking care of our Veterans is our grounding force, it is our heart. As long as our feet continue to move for our Vets, as long as we go the extra mile for them, far and wide. We would be creating a perfect circle towards contributing to world peace.

表達支持台灣謝忱

感謝貴會以極具高度的戰略思維，通過決議文表達支持中華民國國防安全與軍購、外交與政治及經貿合作的具體行動，創造貴我兩國雙贏的局面，請繼續支持我們，我們永遠感激這份兄弟情誼。

Once again, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to VFW for your unwavering support by submitting resolution to your Congress and State Department, backing Taiwan in terms of defense and arms procurement, foreign and political affairs and economic and trade issues. These gestures of brotherhood will not be forgotten.

致謝

謝謝，祝大會順利成功，各位老朋友身體健康!

Thank you very much and I wish you a successful convention.

贈勳

現在本人謹以最誠摯的敬意，頒贈代表本會最高榮譽的一等榮光專業獎章給達飛總會長，感謝他在任期中對促進貴我兩國關係所做的貢獻。請王上校宣讀頌辭。謝謝！

Now, I would like to present Commander in Chief Duffy a Medal of Honor with Cravat of Veterans Affairs Council, First Class, in recognizing his dedication to promote the friendship between our two countries.

Col. Wang, Please announce the citation. Thank You!