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VOA慢速英语2014 Film Explores Battle War Veterans Face in Civilian Society

时间:2014-11-12 15:29:49

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AS IT IS 2014-11-11 Film Explores Battle War Veterans Face in Civilian1 Society

In the movie “The Last Patrol2,” filmmaker Sebastian Junger travels with two war veterans and a photographer who has worked in war zones. The four men walk 640 kilometers from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The film shows how difficult it is for former soldiers to return to civilian life.

“Until you hear the snap3 of a bullet go by your head, there is nothing like it.”

“I’m on fire!”

Although war is dangerous, many former soldiers say they miss the fighting. Sebastian Junger understands their feelings. He filmed an attack during a visit to the Korengal area of Afghanistan six years ago.

“You’re just there at an outpost getting shot at with those guys.”

He says that kind of closeness is difficult to find when soldiers return to the United States.

“I feel like this society invented loneliness.”

Dave Roels is a war veteran. He fought in Korengal.

“It’s comforting to live in a group, and when that’s gone, it can be a very difficult adjustment to make.”

Mr. Roels does not yet know what to do as a civilian. Brendan O’ Byrne also served in the armed forces, as an army sergeant4. He, too, is still looking for purpose in civilian life. Sebastian Junger says Mr. O’Byrne was a good soldier and leader.

“And then he comes home to the United States and he’s a mess -- drank way too much, very self-destructive. But when we started doing ‘The Last Patrol,’ all of a sudden, I would see the old Brendan that I remembered from Afghanistan.”

The filmmaker says Americans can help war veterans get used to civilian life only if they understand what soldiers miss about combat5. If people fail to understand the closeness war brings, he says, society will not be able to provide a place where veterans can feel at ease.

But what exactly is home? And how can war veterans feel good about returning to the United States? That is one of the reasons Mr. Junger and the three men went on their long walk. The movie shows them sleeping and cooking in the woods, bathing in rivers and dealing6 with changing weather conditions.

“(The) thing about (a) railroad line is, it goes straight through farms, woods, ghettoes, suburbs, inner city, industry -- it goes straight through the middle of everything. And on the way we were asking Americans that we met, how America was doing. ‘How do you think America is doing? What’s the thing you like best about this country? What do you like worst about it?’ And we just did this 400-mile assessment7 of where my country’s at right now, and where we are at."

Here, Mr. Junger speaks to a crowd.

“We’re trying to figure out what the best thing about America is. What do you think? What do you think is the best thing about this country?”

“That you’re free -- freedom of speech.”

“Freedom of speech, man, freedom of religion.”

“It’s free -- free country!” 

“Best thing about America? Hmm…I got to Google it first.”

The Last Patrol shows how some war veterans in America feel lost. They are seeking to find their place in a time of peace.

Mr. Junger talks with a war veteran about fighting the enemy.

Words in this Story

war zone – n. an area that is different from other areas because of fighting between soldiers

adjustment – n. a small change that improves something or makes it work better

civilian – n. a person who is not a member of the military or of a police or firefighting force

self-destructive – adj. causing destruction or harm to oneself

suburbs – n. a town or other area where people live in houses near a larger city

“You miss combat at all?”

“Yeah, I do.”


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1 civilian uqbzl     
adj.平民的,民用的,民众的
参考例句:
  • There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
  • He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。
2 patrol 2LKxC     
v.巡逻,巡查;n.巡逻,巡查,巡逻队
参考例句:
  • They attacked two soldiers on patrol.他们袭击了两名正在巡逻的士兵。
  • Policemen patrol the streets.警察在街上巡逻。
3 snap tFCzw     
n.啪地移动,突然断掉;v.猛咬,咬断,谩骂,砰然关上
参考例句:
  • He broke off the twig with a snap.他啪地一声把那根树枝折断了。
  • These earrings snap on with special fasteners.这副耳环是用特制的按扣扣上去的。
4 sergeant REQzz     
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?
5 combat 4qrzR     
n.战斗,斗争,格斗;vt.与...斗争,与...战斗
参考例句:
  • The police are now using computers to help combat crime.警方现在使用电脑打击犯罪活动。
  • A reporter interviewed the combat hero.记者访问了这位战斗英雄。
6 dealing NvjzWP     
n.经商方法,待人态度
参考例句:
  • This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
  • His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
7 assessment vO7yu     
n.评价;评估;对财产的估价,被估定的金额
参考例句:
  • This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
  • What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何?

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