2014-05-06
【Aiden in English】 From the start, you've been there to help, teach, and love me. I'm so grateful that you have become my best friend. Therefore, on Mother's Day, I'm writing a special card with all the reasons why you are a hero in my eyes. The American Revolution was a pivotal event in the US historical timeline of the 18th century. Valley Forge in PA became famous for that very reason because George Washington, the first President, General of the Continental Army, founder of the USA, etc., encamped here in a bitter, unrelenting winter of 1777. Wow, most people think those men were freezing to death in their huts. No, it wasn't true. Some of us also felt that we lacked sufficient food supplies. Despite a shortage of meat, peas, and vegetables, the soldiers were fed bread. This morning, we learned all the facts on our 5th-grade field trip to Valley Forge National Historical Park. Unfortunately, many infectious diseases had spread and were killing the soldiers. The valley once housed hundreds of log cabins for the army, each providing sufficient space for a squad of 12 soldiers. In every corner, three bunk beds lay, each about a foot on top of another. I wouldn't survive a night like that because I move a lot in my sleep. Immediately after we began touring the site, the guide demonstrated how to load a musket. First, he poured a small amount of gunpowder into the can on the side and then dumped the rest down the barrel with the musket ball. He pulled the trigger, and his target was dead. Pretty cool, huh? In addition to the lethal musket, soldiers could equip it with a pointed bayonet or a sharp dagger that could be attached to the front of the musket. To put it this way, let's say... You do not want to be in the stabbing range of the bayonet. As a colonial army marched to war, it needed a formation. A single file was one of the worst formations. Only one person could shoot back while the military was taking fire from the front. Ouch! So we lined up in four columns, and I, Sir Guo, was promoted to sergeant, and I, Sergeant Guo, was given an order from the General to ensure the columns stayed straight. And when everyone was ready, we marched, marched, and marched, and marched. After what seemed like a year of marching, we finally reached the top and saw piles of dirt. As the guide said, there was a fort where we were standing. I was like, No, that's a mound of dirt. Why would soldiers hide behind a mound of dirt? A closer examination proved me wrong since cannons were stationed around it. Large ditches were dug along the perimeter and at openings, allowing the soldiers to fire and providing plenty of cover. Now I get why the British were scared to attack Valley Forge. After a fun picnic, we explored Washington's headquarters. The so-called "main bedroom" looked like the size of my study room for homework. Except for the cramped conditions, the place appeared to be lavishly decorated and designed for comfort. To my great surprise, however, Washington rented the house from the local civilians. I finally knew what our four years of social studies were about. It showed us how difficult life was in Valley Forge 236 years ago. 【红霞译】
独立战争是十八世纪美国历史上发生的重大事件，福吉“锻造”谷之所以蜚声宾州内外，是因为享有第一任总统、大陆军总司令、美利坚奠基人等诸多头衔的乔治·华盛顿“农夫·睿智农场”曾于1777冬天率领部下不畏刺骨严寒，在这里安营扎寨。
大多数人以为不少革命先驱因为经不住气候折磨而被冻死在木屋茅舍之中，实际上根本不是这么一回事；还有人觉得由于食物匮乏，他们饥肠辘辘，以致尸横遍野，不过事实并非如此，尽管当时肉类﹑豆子﹑蔬菜短缺，但是战士们仍有面包充饥。今早在通往福吉谷国家历史公园实地考察的路上，我们五年级学生终于搞清楚其真正缘由，原来若干种传染病肆虐，许多士兵未能幸免病魔的侵袭。
这一带谷地曾经有过数以百计军队住过的木屋，每间木屋可容纳一个班12位战士，屋内各个角落摆置三张双层床，每张床约有一英尺长，相互叠加一块。我无法设想自己如何在这种床上过夜，因为本人一向睡觉不老实。
现场参观开始，导游立刻给我们演示如何加载步枪。首先，他先在身旁小罐里倒了一点火药；然后又借助专门用于装火药的小球捶棒，把其余部分逐渐放入步枪火药桶内，他扣动扳机，眼前目标应声倒下。很酷吧？除了这种可以击毙对手的步枪之外，士兵们还能在步枪前面装上一把刺刀或者锋利匕首，以此来提高杀伤力。这么一来，你千万要远离刺刀触及的范围，不可靠得太近。
旧时每当军队开赴战场，都需要形成一个方队，单行纵队可以说是最差的阵容之一，通常前排的士兵负责射击，仅有一人能够进行反击。哎哟！我们步其后尘，依次也排成四列，我—─郭小弟摇身变成中士长官。这下子可好，郭中士接到将军命令，必须确保队形整齐。大家整装待发，随即一起齐步前进、前进、前进、前进经过大约一年之久漫长跋涉，我们终于到达谷峰，但看到的东西却是大堆土包。导游介绍说，这里曾经有一座堡垒。是的，士兵干吗要躲在土堆里呢？仔细观察证明我错了，因为这里布满大炮，战壕围成一圈，这样战士们能够一边向敌人开火，一边躲在里面掩护自己。现在，我才明白为什么英国佬害怕来犯福吉谷了。 快活野餐过后，我们考察华盛顿总部。眼前这个所谓的“主卧室”看上去如同我在家里用做写作业的书房大小一般。暂且撇开拥挤不说，内部装饰富丽华美，令人感觉舒适安逸。然而完全出乎我意料之外，这是华盛顿从当地人租来的民居。我终于懂得，四年来学校开设“社会学”的目的，无非想告诫我们236年前福吉谷的艰难岁月。
 Valley Forge Natl Historical Park
(福吉谷国家历史公园 01-01-2005)  US Natl Memorial Arch, a Tribute to the Continental Army's Encampment @ Valley Forge during the Winter of 1777-1778
(美国国家纪念拱·为纪念大陆军在1777—1778年冬季驻扎在福吉谷而建 10-23-2004) 
US Natl Memorial Arch, a Single-Opening Arch Designed in a Classic Style or a Simplified Version of the Arch of Titus (美国国家纪念拱·采用古典风格设计的单开拱门，为古罗马提图斯“荣誉称号”凯旋门的简化版 01-01-2005)  To the Officers and Private Soldiers of the Continental Army on December 19, 1777
(献给1777年12月19日美国大陆军官与二等兵)
 Cannons @ the Artillery Park (炮兵公园·大炮 10-23-2004)
 North Outer Line Drive (北外线步道 10-23-2004)
Soldiers' Cabin (士兵木屋 01-01-2005)  Brigade Encampment (旅营 05-06-2014)
Washington Memorial Chapel (华盛顿纪念礼拜堂 01-01-2005) 
Washington Memorial Chapel, the Episcopal Church (华盛顿纪念礼拜堂·美国新教圣公会 01-01-2005)  Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Rolls
(“美国革命女儿”爱国者名单 01-01-2005)
Kay Bojesen Wooden Soldiers (丹麦凯·博耶森“纯洁·城堡之子”设计的木制士兵 01-01-2005)
Statue of General Anthony Wayne (大陆军将军《安东尼·韦恩“无价·马车夫”》雕像)  Rhodesian Ridgeback Encounters
(偶遇罗德西亚"津巴布韦"脊背猎犬 01-01-2005)  White-tailed Deers, Herbivores, w/ a Diet of Leaves, Twigs, Fruits, & Nuts
(白尾鹿·草食动物，以树叶、嫩枝、水果和坚果为食)
Crosslinks(相关博文):
USA(出游美国)
5th Grade(小学五年级)
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