VOA标准英语2009年-Fields of Paper Poppies Flourish in Britai

By Jennifer Glasse
London
09 November 2009
 
Red paper poppies are worn in recognition of Armistice¹ Day
Every year about this time, millions of people in Britain, wear red paper poppies in recognition of Armistice Day and in support of their country's armed forces. This year, the annual November 11 observation, marking the end of World War One, holds special significance. British troops are again in harms way, this time in Afghanistan.

One of the British forces main tasks in Afghanistan is to curb² the drug trade -- mainly policing the opium³ poppy fields.

Four thousand miles away, it's lunchtime in central London, and servicemen and veterans are trying to drum up business, soliciting⁴ donations by offering paper poppies, a symbol of support for Britain's armed forces.

On lapels all over Britain, the symbol born from a World War One poem by a Canadian military physician, lamenting⁵ the death of a friend. He cited that on the battlefields where the dead lay, poppies still grew.

Among those distributing poppies on this day: two Nepalese Ghurka soldiers. The Nepalese regiments⁶ are still part of the British Army. Captain Lal Bahdr Gurung says his countrymen will benefit, too. "It is for those who were involved in the wars. It is for everyone," he says, "It could be any nationality, like Nepal, British, Canadian, anyone who was involved."

Across the capital, outside Westminster Abbey, a field of remembrance for 60,000 who died in wars in the past century.

The crosses here commemorate⁷ not just the British who've fallen in war, but men and women from forces who fought alongside them. From South Asia, Africa and the Far East.

Author Kusoom Vadgama says soldiers and civilians⁸ from India played a huge role in the world wars. "Indians have contributed a tremendous amount of money, manpower, womenpower and dedication⁹ and loyalty¹⁰ to the British people," Vadgama said.

Although there's a ceremony like this every year, as Britain suffers heavy casualties in Afghanistan and hundreds of wounded soldiers come home, remembrance takes on even more significance.

 
Phil Berry
Veterans of World War Two landings on the beaches of Normandy, France attended. Phil Berry says the poppy appeal has long been part of his life. "It's something that I have supported since I joined the army in 1942 to commemorate then those killed in the first world war," Berry says, "and then the second world war, and now again in Afghanistan."

Berry points out the area reserved for British casualties of Afghanistan. There are about 9,000 British soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan. A total of 230 have died since 2001, making many question whether British forces should remain there.

Normandy veteran Les Birch says he'd like to see the troops come home. "No, you never win in Afghanistan, never ever," Birch says, "Even in 100 years, you'll never beat them."

In Britain it is a time of reflection, on old wars, and new.

 

1 armistice   

n.休战，停战协定

参考例句：

• The two nations signed an armistice.两国签署了停火协议。
• The Italian armistice is nothing but a clumsy trap.意大利的停战不过是一个笨拙的陷阱。

2 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

3 opium   

n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的

参考例句：

• That man gave her a dose of opium.那男人给了她一剂鸦片。
• Opium is classed under the head of narcotic.鸦片是归入麻醉剂一类的东西。

4 soliciting   

v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求

参考例句：

• A prostitute was soliciting on the street. 一名妓女正在街上拉客。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• China Daily is soliciting subscriptions. 《中国日报》正在征求订户。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 lamenting   

adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Katydids were lamenting fall's approach. 蝈蝈儿正为秋天临近而哀鸣。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Lamenting because the papers hadn't been destroyed and the money kept. 她正在吃后悔药呢，后悔自己没有毁了那张字条，把钱昧下来！ 来自英汉文学 - 败坏赫德莱堡

6 regiments   

（军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物

参考例句：

• The three regiments are all under the command of you. 这三个团全归你节制。
• The town was garrisoned with two regiments. 该镇有两团士兵驻守。

7 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

8 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

9 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

10 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。