2006年VOA标准英语-US Troops Mark Christmas in Baghdad

By Margaret Besheer
25 December 2006

The Christmas holidays are often the most difficult time of year for U.S. service members deployed¹ overseas and far from their families. In Iraq, troops celebrated² together, but thoughts of their loved ones were never far from their minds. VOA's Margaret Besheer spent Christmas with some American troops in Baghdad, and files this report.

 
US officers and staff
At a dining hall in Baghdad, where some 2,500 people were going to have their Christmas lunch, the spirit was high among staff and troops, many donning red Santa Claus caps with their uniforms.

Floyd Lee, senior food service manager at this facility, was festive³ in a red blazer and Christmas necktie. He said his staff prepared a feast of traditional holiday favorites, such as roast turkey, ham and stuffing that he hopes will remind the troops of their own mothers' cooking. "They like the home-cooked food, the collard greens, the macaroni-and-cheese like mom makes, the sweet potato pies, the eggnog; the things you would enjoy at home," he said.

To add to the spirit of home, there is a Christmas tree festooned in ornaments⁴ and lights, a fireplace hung with stockings and other holiday decorations throughout the dining hall.

 
Officers serving Christmas dinner
Today, instead of his usual military duties, Captain Nathan Wilder is serving the troops potatoes, corn and stuffing in the buffet⁵ line. It is a military custom that, on holidays, the officers serve the troops.

Captain Wilder, who is from Templeton, Massachusetts, is using Internet technology in order to be closer to his wife and toddler son. "I'll be standing⁶ by my computer, we've got the webcam set up at the house, overlooking the Christmas tree in the living room, the plan is when my son gets up, I'll be there watching," he said.

 
US troops eat Christmas dinner in Iraq
First Sergeant⁷ Joe Winchester has been in the military for nearly 16 years, but this is his first Christmas away from his wife and two children. He says he is going to e-mail his wife in North Carolina, and ask her to take over one of his favorite holiday duties. "I am going to remind her that, since I am not there this year, what I want her to do is read The Christmas Story. That's the tradition in our family. I always read it. But I'm going to have her do it, since I'm not there," he said.

For some military personnel, like Marine⁸ Lance Corporal Jason Smith, this is not their first Christmas in Iraq. Corporal Smith has served back-to-back tours, and is spending his second consecutive⁹ Christmas here.

 
US service members singing in Baghdad on Christmas day
He says the large number of care packages the troops receive from their families, and even from strangers, makes them feel appreciated this time of year. "We get a lot of candy, and we put on a lot of weight this time of year. We get lots of cards from grade school students, and they draw little pictures and stuff like that it. It makes me feel good," he said.

Many of the troops say it is their faith in God that helps sustain them in Iraq, especially during the holidays. Ordained¹⁰ Minister Lieutenant¹¹ Colonel Cheryl Brady. "We believe God is in control of our lives. Even being here in this war zone, our faith and trust is in God to keep us, to sustain us, to protect us," she said.

And it is the spirit of community and common purpose that binds¹² many of these men and women together. During the holidays, many of them say, being part of the extended military family helps ease the sadness of missing their real families.

1 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。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

4 ornaments   

n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
• Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 buffet   

n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台

参考例句：

• Are you having a sit-down meal or a buffet at the wedding?你想在婚礼中摆桌宴还是搞自助餐？
• Could you tell me what specialties you have for the buffet?你能告诉我你们的自助餐有什么特色菜吗？

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

7 sergeant   

n.警官，中士

参考例句：

• His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。
• How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹？

8 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

9 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

10 ordained   

v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定

参考例句：

• He was ordained in 1984. 他在一九八四年被任命为牧师。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He was ordained priest. 他被任命为牧师。 来自辞典例句

11 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

12 binds   

v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕

参考例句：

• Frost binds the soil. 霜使土壤凝结。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Stones and cement binds strongly. 石头和水泥凝固得很牢。 来自《简明英汉词典》