Happy Veterans Day|退伍军人节快乐

Happy Veterans Day

by Olivia Wycech

Have you ever taken the time to say thank you to all the veterans that serve your country?

Veterans Day is an annual holiday celebrated on November 11 that honors US military veterans, dead or alive, for their loyal service to their country. Former US President Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the day in 1919. _(1)_ It was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954, after World War II veteran Raymond Weeks pushed Congress to change the day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. _(2)_ Because of this, a moment of silence is observed at 11:00 AM on November 11 each year. Veterans Day is sometimes confused with Memorial Day. _(3)_

While Veterans Day is a US holiday, it is celebrated in other parts of the world as a national holiday but referred to as Remembrance Day. In Commonwealth countries, a poppy is worn on the lapel to symbolize the blood shed in the war. _(4)_ This means that on this particular holiday people don't have to go to work or school. Veterans Day is commemorated with parades, vigils, church services, and flags are usually hung at half mast. One of the nice things that some fast food establishments do throughout America is to offer free food to veterans on this day. _(5)_ It is a time for Americans to come together to show their love and devotion to their country.

(A) In America, where a wreath is traditionally laid at Arlington National Cemetery, it is considered a federal holiday.

(B) At that time, it was called Armistice Day, as it coincided with the signing of a treaty that    called for a ceasefire and brought World War I to an end.

(C) After WWII started, Veterans Day stopped being celebrated for the duration of the war.

(D) The hostilities of WWI formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

(E) They are two different holidays with Memorial Day held in May and people pay their respects to fallen soldiers then.

(F) Most importantly, Veterans Day symbolizes patriotism and peace.

退伍军人节快乐

你曾经抽空向所有为国效力的退伍军人说声谢谢吗？

11月 11 日是一年一度的退伍军人节，这一天是纪念美国退伍军人对国家的忠诚，不论他们是否还在世。美国前总统伍德罗‧威尔逊在 1919 年发起了这个日子。它在当时被称为休战日，因为这一天正好是签署条约呼吁停火并结束第 1 次世界大战的时刻。而在第 2 次世界大战后退伍老兵雷蒙‧威克斯推动国会将这天改为颂扬所有退伍军人，而非只有在第 1 次世界大战中阵亡的军人，它在 1954年正式更名为退伍军人节。第 1 次世界大战于 11 月 11 日的 11 点正式停战。因为这个缘故，在每年的 11 月 11 日上午 11 点都会举行默哀片刻的仪式。退伍军人节有时会和阵亡将士纪念日搞混。它们是两个不同的节日，阵亡将士纪念日是在 5 月，而人们会在这一天向阵亡的士兵们致敬。

虽然退伍军人节是美国的节日，但世界其他各地也将它当成全国性的节日来庆祝，不过他们将它称为国殇纪念日。在大英国协的国家，人们会在西装的翻领上配戴罂粟花象征战争中所流的血。在美国，它被视为国定假日，人们会前往阿灵顿国家公墓献花。这意味着在这个特殊的日子大家可以不用上班上课。退伍军人节的纪念活动有游行、祈祷守夜及教会活动等，而旗帜通常也会降半旗。退伍军人节的其中一项好处是全美各地的某些快餐店会在这一天供应免费的食物给退伍军人。最重要的，退伍军人节象征了爱国心及和平。这一天是美国人聚在一起展现他们对国家的爱和奉献的时刻。

答案：  1.  B   2.  D   3.  E   4.  A   5.  F