美国国家公共电台 NPR--Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation aims for a monument on the National Mall

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation aims for a monument on the National Mall

Transcript¹

NPR's A Martinez speaks with Michael "Rod" Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, about plans for a national monument, and how he is marking Memorial Day.

A MART?NEZ, HOST:

The National Mall in Washington, D.C., features memorials for World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, but no memorial commemorating² the longest and most recent U.S. war. Michael "Rod" Rodriguez wants to change that. He's the president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. He is also a combat veteran. Michael, thanks for joining us on this Memorial Day.

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ: No, thank you for providing me the opportunity to chat with you guys on this sacred day.

MART?NEZ: So, OK, the war on terror began after September 11, the attacks on September 11, and didn't end until the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021. Why do you think it's important to build a memorial for this war?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, I think it's important that we all share a duty within this nation to honor the brave men and women that are willing to step forward and serve and protect the sanctities of liberty that we all enjoy every single day. So, you know, to not honor the two generations that have fought in the current war, because we still have men and women deployed³ across the globe performing duties in different theaters, you know, it's just a duty we need to fulfill⁴.

MART?NEZ: Why do you think it hasn't happened?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, I mean, if you really think about it, it's - we started this in 2015. The foundation came together in 2015. And it's a very long and arduous⁵ process, as it should be. This is our nation's front lawn - you know, the National Mall. So we've been at this for about eight years now, and we're really excited to be getting close to the finish line now.

MART?NEZ: Do you think it's because people maybe didn't have a sense of it, like, just ending, or just not having a sense of when it would end?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, in - so I'll go into the framework. There was a law that exists that states a war has to be over for a period of 10 years before a national war memorial can be built. And you know, that was something that we, the foundation, came together, recognized, and we passed our first piece of legislation in 2017 seeking the exemption⁶ from that law. And so there's a few different obstacles that we have faced. But, you know, we're focused on completing it here pretty soon.

MART?NEZ: Michael, what's your vision for the memorial? What would it look like?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, we - it's - we are in the 24-step process to build a national war memorial. We have - now that we've secured our location, which is just north of the Lincoln, off of Constitution Drive - we finally got our spot - we can now move into the design phase. So we are really excited to be, you know, announcing the designer here pretty soon. So my vision is just that, you know, the design team that we pick honors the - makes it the most inclusive, reverent⁷ and, you know, welcoming memorial that we could possibly imagine.

MART?NEZ: Can you give us a hint of what it might look like, what it might have?

RODRIGUEZ: You know, I can't. I really - we haven't even really got into that quite yet.

MART?NEZ: (Laughter) OK.

RODRIGUEZ: You know, we want to provide the artist, which is the designer, the opportunity - we give them the guidance, provide input⁸ from all of our stakeholders - Gold Star family members, veterans and the like. So we - as an artist myself, I'm kind of staying out of it.

MART?NEZ: Yeah (laughter).

RODRIGUEZ: So I just want to be sure that we provide the artist the opportunity and the - most importantly, the inspiration to capture, you know, our mission.

MART?NEZ: How about this, Michael, then? As an artist yourself and as a veteran, what's the one thing you'd like to see in it somehow, if you could have a choice?

RODRIGUEZ: Water - I would love an element of water. And that's something that we've talked with a lot of our stakeholders - veterans, Gold Star family members, those that have served and their families - and a lot of people feel water. And as humans, we have an affinity⁹ for water. Water brings us together. It unites us. It provides that healing aspect, which is, you know, really, really important. So I can say that. I would love to see some water.

MART?NEZ: You served during the war on terror. You lost comrades, friends. What would it mean to you to be able to one day be able to visit this memorial?

RODRIGUEZ: That's going to be hard to capture into words. You know, I really think it would provide an opportunity for those of us that have served, those of us that have lost loved ones, to reflect. You know, none of us have ever joined the military for any accolades¹⁰ or anything like that, but just to provide us an opportunity to come together and reflect. And that would be...

MART?NEZ: And one last thing, Michael...

RODRIGUEZ: ...Really, really important.

MART?NEZ: One last thing - how are you spending this Memorial Day?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, I was - I'm actually in Washington, D.C., so I was blessed to - I'll be having breakfast with the president, first lady and other guests this morning. I was fortunate to be invited to go there. And then today, we'll be playing taps at 5 p.m. at the location.

MART?NEZ: That's Michael "Rod" Rodriguez, a combat veteran, president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Thanks a lot for joining us.

RODRIGUEZ: Thank you very much. Hope everyone has a blessed day.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 commemorating   

v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements. 他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The post office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers. 邮局发行了一个纪念美国著名演艺人员的系列邮票。 来自互联网

3 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

4 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

5 arduous   

adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的

参考例句：

• We must have patience in doing arduous work.我们做艰苦的工作要有耐性。
• The task was more arduous than he had calculated.这项任务比他所估计的要艰巨得多。

6 exemption   

n.豁免，免税额，免除

参考例句：

• You may be able to apply for exemption from local taxes.你可能符合资格申请免除地方税。
• These goods are subject to exemption from tax.这些货物可以免税。

7 reverent   

adj.恭敬的，虔诚的

参考例句：

• He gave reverent attention to the teacher.他恭敬地听老师讲课。
• She said the word artist with a gentle,understanding,reverent smile.她说作家一词时面带高雅，理解和虔诚的微笑。

8 input   

n.输入(物)；投入；vt.把(数据等)输入计算机

参考例句：

• I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.我将永远感激他的大量投入。
• All this information had to be input onto the computer.所有这些信息都必须输入计算机。

9 affinity   

n.亲和力，密切关系

参考例句：

• I felt a great affinity with the people of the Highlands.我被苏格兰高地人民深深地吸引。
• It's important that you share an affinity with your husband.和丈夫有共同的爱好是十分重要的。

10 accolades   

n.（连结几行谱表的）连谱号( accolade的名词复数 )；嘉奖；（窗、门上方的）桃尖拱形线脚；册封爵士的仪式（用剑面在肩上轻拍一下）

参考例句：

• Unlike other accolades for literature which tend to value style or experimentation. 有别于其他偏重风格活实验性的文学奖项。 来自互联网
• Build your trophy room while amassing awards and accolades. 建立您的奖杯积累奖项和荣誉。 来自互联网