Prosperity, Peace and Opportunity: The Legacy¹ of American Service in South Korea

In a particularly moving address to troops at Osan Air Base in Osan, South Korea, the President thanked American troops for their continued sacrifice and service, and took the opportunity to a share a short anecdote²（轶事，奇闻） with the crowd. The story reminded troops of America's great responsibility and privilege（特权） to protect freedom and promote democracy around the world, and offered rare historical insight from a longtime ally（盟友，同盟国）:

I want to deliver, actually, just a quick story, go a little off script（原稿，手稿）.  President Lee talked to me about what it was like when he was a young child here in Korea, this country having been torn by war, and the poverty that still existed in the country.  And he said, I hope the American people understand how grateful we are for what you've done, because we would not be the extraordinarily³ strong, prosperous（繁荣的，兴旺的） nation that we are, had it not been for the sacrifices of your armed services and the continued contributions（贡献，捐献） that you've made.

And I thought, when the President of a country that's become so successful says that America, and America's armed services in particular, had something to do with the extraordinary success of their country -- he said, that's something you should take great pride in.  And I want all of you to know that, because you are carrying that tradition on right here at Osan（乌山）.

I couldn't come to the Republic of Korea without coming to see you to deliver a simple message -- a message of thanks to you and your families.  Because of all the privileges of serving as President, I have no greater honor than serving as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military that the world has ever known.  (Applause.)