VOA标准英语2014--Americans Honored for Acts of Bravery 美国公民因勇敢行为受到表彰

 

Americans Honored for Acts of Bravery 美国公民因勇敢行为受到表彰

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — A group of Americans which has received the U.S. military's highest honor for bravery is gathering¹ this week in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the premiere of a documentary that chronicles the history of the Medal of Honor. But the group does more than just  pay tribute to military valor². For several years now, they have also been honoring ordinary civilians³ with a Citizen Medal of Honor - for acts of bravery and service in communities around the country.

It's a snowy day at Arlington National Cemetery⁴ in Virginia, near Washington, D.C. Living Medal of Honor winners gather to recognize service members killed in the line of duty.

"Thank you for inspiring us then and now with your strength, your will and your heroic hearts," said President Barack Obama at a recent ceremony.

Acknowledging valor

And later at the White House, their numbers increase, as a group of veterans from past wars receive the Medal for their own valor.

They also took some time to recognize non-military valor, however, honoring a group of ordinary citizens for their heroic actions in the face of danger.

"We all started to feel this pull and swimming back to the beach became difficult, if not impossible for some of the others. I realized that because of my junior lifeguard training how to recognize that we were in a rip tide," said nineteen year old Connor Stotts, who risked his own life to rescue three friends from drowning during a beach outing in California in 2011.

"The thought never crossed my mind that I would just swim back to shore without them," said Stotts.

When asked if he would consider himself a hero, he replied, "I know this is something everyone would say, but I don't consider myself a hero. I would consider myself I hope more of an example."

Humble⁵ heroes

Eight years ago the living Medal of Honor recipients⁶ established an award for ordinary people who demonstrated courage, sacrifice and service.

"He was a very caring person who loved to teach and he loved his kids and he loved his family," said Sharon Landsberry, remembering the love of her life, Michael. The mathematics teacher is credited with saving students' lives at a Nevada middle school before he was shot and killed by a 12-year old boy last year. Michael Landsberry was the first citizen to be awarded the honor posthumously⁷.

"I know my husband would do it over again if it were to happen again that was just who he was. He would put his life up to protect those who he loved," she said.

Ronald Rand, who heads the Medal of Honor Foundation, said the award promotes selfless service.

"Everyone could be one of those heroes, and if in fact everyone knew that and recognized that and looked for ways to perform those acts, our society would be a truly wonderful team of people focused on the right values and the right outcomes," said Rand.

 

The Citizen Medal of Honor recipients say they hope their acts of valor and service will inspire other ordinary people to help those in need and make a difference in their communities.

1 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

2 valor   

n.勇气，英勇

参考例句：

• Fortitude is distinct from valor.坚韧不拔有别于勇猛。
• Frequently banality is the better parts of valor.老生常谈往往比大胆打破常规更为人称道。

3 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。

4 cemetery   

n.坟墓，墓地，坟场

参考例句：

• He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
• His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。

5 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

6 recipients   

adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器

参考例句：

• The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

7 posthumously   

adv.于死后，于身后；于著作者死后出版地

参考例句：

• He was confirmed posthumously as a member of the Chinese Communist Party. 他被追认为中国共产党党员。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her last book was published posthumously in 1948. 她最后的一本书在她死后于1948 年出版了。 来自《简明英汉词典》