VOA标准英语2010年-Troops Return to US Capital after 10 M

Hugs and kisses welcomed U.S. soldiers from Washington's National Guard when they returned home March 18 after serving in Iraq.  It is the first time they have seen their families in almost a year.  And for some, the stay will be short lived. VOA's Elizabeth Lee explains.

The moment they had dreamed about finally arrived.

And for many of these soldiers it was better than they had imagined.

"I thought I would get off the bus, get in a car and go home, but it's good to see all these people," said First Sergeant¹ Terrance Smith.

First Sergeant Terrance Smith never expected such a big welcome.
His wife and 7-year-old daughter had been waiting since Smith left for Iraq 11 months ago.

"I thought I was going to be more cool, calm and collected, but as soon as I saw him I was like, I missed him.," said Sergeant Smith's wife. "ll the love I have just started flooding back I couldn't' stop touching² him."

Smith left Iraq at a time when the country was holding its second parliamentary elections since the overthrow³ of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

"From what I saw, I think we're ready to leave," he said "I think we're ready to give it to the Iraqis. My unit worked closely with the local nationals, and I think they are very competent and ready. They want to take control themselves."

But before the Iraqis can fully⁴ take control, they need a stable government.  It may take months before a new government is formed because election results continue to trickle⁵ in.  During the last parliamentary elections in 2005, it took five months to form a new government.  Pentagon officials say the 96,000 U.S. troops currently in Iraq, will continue to stay there during the transition.  Once a peaceful transfer of power is complete, the U.S. is prepared to draw down its military forces in large numbers.

Many of these soldiers consider themselves lucky to be able to leave Iraq.

"Its' very exciting," said Smith. "I couldn't wait to get back home."

These men and women may be back from Iraq, but some of them will not be home for long. They'll be deployed⁶ again. Their destination: Afghanistan

Loren Taylor's fiancee, Staff Sergeant Christopher Miller⁷, is one of the soldiers who expects to be heading for Afghanistan.

"You know I support him in whatever he does and he supports his country so I'm on board," said Loren Taylor.

Miller says he will first focus his attention on getting some rest.

"There's no words to describe it, I'm glad to be home," said Staff Sergeant Christopher Miller.

And Miller is home just in time for his wedding day.

Sergeant Miller: "Are we publicizing this?

Loren Taylor: "Go ahead."

Sergeant Miller: "April 23rd."

The date to remember for many U.S. troops still in Iraq is still more than a year away - the end of 2011. That's when President Barack Obama says a full withdrawal⁸ of American forces will be complete.
 

1 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？

2 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

3 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

4 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

5 trickle   

vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散

参考例句：

• The stream has thinned down to a mere trickle.这条小河变成细流了。
• The flood of cars has now slowed to a trickle.汹涌的车流现在已经变得稀稀拉拉。

6 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。

7 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。

8 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。