温馨夜读 PART3 02 The Last Letters 最后的家书

 

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[00:00.47]The Last Letters 最后的家书

[00:05.72]To son, Cecil,

[00:09.22]Just a quick note preface¹ before I start in earnest².

[00:13.37]When I wrote this you were 8, still a little boy.

[00:17.75]A few years ago, 

[00:19.21]I was called to active duty in the Marine³ Corps⁴ in the War on Terrorism.

[00:24.64]When America was attacked,

[00:27.37]I knew that I would eventually have to go and I was filled with a deep sense of sadness.

[00:34.04]That night as you and Keiko were asleep,

[00:37.21]I looked at your little faces and couldn't help but fight the tears.

[00:41.81]I knew it would be hard for you because I had a similar experience.

[00:46.51]When I was a little boy aged⁵ 6, my Dad, you Grandpa Cawley,

[00:52.42]was sent to Vietnam during the War there.

[00:55.26]I remember how much I missed him, too.

[00:58.21]But now unfortunately I have come to realize just how rough it must have been

[01:04.05]for Grandpa to be away from his children for a year.

[01:07.57]Thinking about this, 

[01:09.55]I wanted to put my thoughts and feelings down for you and your sister.

[01:13.81]I am so sorry that I had to leave for such a long time.

[01:18.07]There is no place I would rather be than with you and Keiko.

[01:22.12]You two are the lights of my life.

[01:24.97]I have known no greater joy than in the few years since you two were born.

[01:30.12]I hope to have many more years with you.

[01:33.39]If this doesn't happen, then know that I love you more than words can express.

[01:38.87]If for some reason I don't make it home, 

[01:42.13]I will need you to take care of your little sister and your Mom.

[01:45.75]You will be the Man of the Cawley family.

[01:48.60]Be good my son and God will watch over you as he has me.

[01:54.17]I will be waiting impatiently⁶ for the time when we can all be together again.

[01:59.32]All my love,

[02:00.75]Dad

[02:02.06]Two days after Cawley's death, his last letter arrived at his family's home in Utah.

[02:08.30]Written on the packaging of an MRE Meal Ready to Eat, the US military's frontline ration⁷

[02:15.51]it consisted of a message in Japanese to his wife and his final words to his children.

[02:21.86]Dear Cecil and Keiko,

[02:24.05]Hi little guys. How are you? Daddy is fine.

[02:27.87]I miss you. Send me a letter Okay? It will make me very happy.

[02:32.90]I am proud of you. You are such good kids. I will see you again.

[02:37.82]Love,

[02:38.66]Daddy

1 preface   

n.序文，绪言，前言；v.作序，写前言，以...开始

参考例句：

• He has written a fine preface to the play.他为这个剧本写了一篇精彩的序言。
• This book has a preface written by the author.这本书有作者写的序言。

2 earnest   

n.定金，诚挚，认真；adj.认真的，热心的，重要的

参考例句：

• The words were earnest but they fell on deaf ears.言者谆谆，听者藐藐。
• Her earnest manner arrested me.她那种热忱的态度引起了我的注意。

3 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。

4 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• 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。

5 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

6 impatiently   

adv.不耐烦地

参考例句：

• Impatiently he cut short what I was telling him. 他不耐烦地打断了我的话。
• The children wait impatiently for the vacation.孩子们焦急地等待着假期的来临。

7 ration   

n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应

参考例句：

• The country cut the bread ration last year.那个国家去年削减面包配给量。
• We have to ration the water.我们必须限量用水。