从伊拉克和阿富汗退伍的军人成新一股政治力量

Veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan Become a Force in Politics 从伊拉克和阿富汗退伍的军人成新一股政治力量

Today, Tammy Duckworth is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a candidate for the Senate.

Eleven years ago, she was an Army soldier flying Blackhawk helicopters in Iraq.

On the day after Veterans Day 2004, a grenade struck her helicopter. The blast destroyed her legs and severely¹ damaged an arm. Those injuries and her experience as a soldier made her want to become involved in politics, she says.

“So I got this second chance at life, and I see my time now as a bonus. And that’s really allowed me to speak up without fear. And stand up for what I believe in – for what we all believe in. After all, what are the folks who don’t agree with me and my political adversaries² going to do – blow me up?”

Duckworth is part of a small but growing force in U.S. politics: veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congress includes 25 lawmakers out of 535 who are veterans of America’s two most recent wars.

In the history of veterans in Congress, that number is both small and large. In 1971, veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War made up over 70 percent of Congress.

Since then, the overall number of veterans in Congress has declined.

One reason is that a lower percentage of Americans – only about 2 percent -- serve in the military. In addition, most American voters no longer consider military service to be a requirement to hold elected office.

But soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are increasingly running for office and winning seats. They include four female veterans. Among them is Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.

“And I stand here before you today because my buddies³ didn’t leave me behind. They literally⁴ lifted me up and carried me off the battlefield and saved my life. After everything they did to save me, I really feel that I owe them.”

Vets⁵ in Congress

Congress has the highest number of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to serve in national office, says the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. 

Matt Miller⁶ is the chief policy officer for the organization, as well as a veteran himself. Miller says veterans want to bring some of the leadership and cooperation skills they learned in the military to politics.

But he notes that military culture is not partisan⁷ – in other words, soldiers do not usually express a strong political point of view.

“The only left and right in the military is the person to your left and right. And that all that you hope for, that when light turns green, and there’s action that needs to be taken, that they have your back.”

Miller says that veterans who become politicians are concerned about soldiers after they return from service. He says top issues include veterans’ health and benefits, and the ability for veterans to continue their education.

They also advise the president and military leaders on conflicts, including those in Syria and Afghanistan.

“What I think they’re advocating for is getting the job done. And whatever that takes in getting the job done with the best-trained, best-equipped military possible. So I think that is where their heart would lie.”

For example, Miller says, leaving U.S. troops in Afghanistan longer allows the military to “get the job done.”

Words in This Story

grenade – n. a small bomb

adversaries - n. enemies or opponents

buddies – n. people who do some activity with you

partisan – adj. strongly supporting one leader, group, or cause over another

1 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

2 adversaries   

n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• That would cause potential adversaries to recoil from a challenge. 这会迫使潜在的敌人在挑战面前退缩。 来自辞典例句
• Every adversaries are more comfortable with a predictable, coherent America. 就连敌人也会因有可以预料的，始终一致的美国而感到舒服得多。 来自辞典例句

3 buddies   

n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人

参考例句：

• We became great buddies. 我们成了非常好的朋友。 来自辞典例句
• The two of them have become great buddies. 他们俩成了要好的朋友。 来自辞典例句

4 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

5 vets   

abbr.veterans （复数）老手，退伍军人；veterinaries （复数）兽医n.兽医( vet的名词复数 )；老兵；退伍军人；兽医诊所v.审查（某人过去的记录、资格等）( vet的第三人称单数 )；调查；检查；诊疗

参考例句：

• I helped train many young vets and veterinary nurses too. 我还帮助培训了许多年青的兽医和护士。 来自互联网
• In fact, we've expanded mental health counseling and services for our vets. 实际上，我们已经扩大了退伍军人的心理健康咨询和服务。 来自互联网

6 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

7 partisan   

adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒

参考例句：

• In their anger they forget all the partisan quarrels.愤怒之中，他们忘掉一切党派之争。
• The numerous newly created partisan detachments began working slowly towards that region.许多新建的游击队都开始慢慢地向那里移动。