美国国家公共电台 NPR 'He Had A Very Sad Heart': This Memorial Day, Remembering The Overlooked Heroes

 

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

On Memorial Day, we remember soldiers who were killed while serving their country. But those who have died by suicide¹ are often overlooked². Army Specialist Robert Joseph Allen took his own life in 2012 when the suicide rate for active duty troops was at its highest - more soldiers dying from suicide than from combat³. Allen grew up in a military family. At StoryCorps, his mother, Cathy Sprigg, sat down to remember him.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

CATHY SPRIGG: He was a happy-go-lucky kid. When he was in T-ball, one time he hit the ball, went to second base and then turned around and said, Mom, I made half of a home run. That was kind of how he looked at life, his cup half full. He always wanted to be in the military. Even back then, I mean, we'd pass a convoy⁴, and he'd just go nuts. So when he was 24, he enlisted⁵ and then was sent to Iraq for a year. And he told me some stories, but he said, there's a lot of stories that I can't tell you, Mom. He didn't sleep well. He had nightmares⁶, and that twinkle in his eye was gone. He took his life August 2, 2012.

And, you know, as a mother, when your child's heart is full of joy, your heart is full of joy. And knowing what a dark place he must have been to do this is almost more than I could bear. Since then, I have his two sons that I help care for. His first son is 8. And not long ago, he asked me, how did daddy die? And I said to him, Daddy died from war because he had a very sad heart. You know, and hindsight is 20/20, but when he got back from Iraq, he got off the plane, and I thanked God that he made it home safe. I didn't realize that he didn't. And I feel like he's not looked as a hero because his wounds weren't immediate⁷, and they weren't physical. And aside from losing my son, that's probably one of the most painful things.

(SOUNDBITE OF LUCIDDREAMZZZ'S "SOUNDS OF MY BASEMENT")

SIMON: That's Cathy Sprigg remembering her son Army Specialist Robert Joseph Allen, who took his life in 2012 while serving in the U.S. military. He was 27 years old. This interview will be archived with the rest of the StoryCorps collection at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

(SOUNDBITE OF LUCIDDREAMZZZ'S "SOUNDS OF MY BASEMENT")

1 suicide   

n.自杀，自毁，自杀性行为

参考例句：

• The number of suicide has increased.自杀案件的数量增加了。
• The death was adjudged a suicide by sleeping pills.该死亡事件被判定为服用安眠药自杀。

2 overlooked   

v.忽视( overlook的过去式和过去分词 )；监督；俯视；（对不良现象等）不予理会

参考例句：

• He seems to have overlooked one important fact. 他好像忽略了一个重要的事实。
• This is a minor point, but it must not be overlooked. 此事虽小，然亦不可忽视。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 combat   

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。

4 convoy   

vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队

参考例句：

• The convoy was snowed up on the main road.护送队被大雪困在干路上了。
• Warships will accompany the convoy across the Atlantic.战舰将护送该船队过大西洋。

5 enlisted   

adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持）

参考例句：

• enlisted men and women 男兵和女兵
• He enlisted with the air force to fight against the enemy. 他应募加入空军对敌作战。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 nightmares   

n.噩梦( nightmare的名词复数 )；可怕的事情，无法摆脱的恐惧

参考例句：

• He still has nightmares about the accident. 他仍然做噩梦梦见这场事故。
• Art thou not afraid of nightmares and hideous dreams?\" 你难道不怕睡魇和凶梦吗？” 来自英汉文学 - 红字

7 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。