European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 27, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 28 the stars and stripes sunday december 27. 19b7 tennesseans return As Waters recede by the associated press water by an receding saturday in a Western Tennessee cily where flooding forced More than 3,000 to flee their Homes and storms knocked out Power to thousands in the Midwest after dropping Snow on Elpaso s Sun bowl All our water is receding and most of our people have been Able to go Home to Check on the damage said police capt. Bob Ruflin at mailing Lon Tern. However milling in officials said water might be rising in other areas out Side the City and most Rescue officials were assessing the flood situation. Earlier in the Day rescuers had worked to save people trapped at Home by High water or stranded in Trees. Churches worked to provide food for people chased from their Homes by water that Rose rapidly Christmas morning. Flooding also swamped West Mem Phis Ark., just across he Mississippi River where townspeople were still cleaning up from a Tornado that killed six and injured More than 200 on dec. 14. Millington was inundated with 12.11 inches of rain that fell from wednesday ill rough s . Saturday. Steady rain was expected to become heavier said National weather service meteorologist Mike Girodo. Heavy thunderstorms in Texas were expected to spill into Arkan Sas and Western Tennessee. Flash flood warnings were posted for much of Western Tennessee Northern Mississippi and Eastern Arkansas and lash flood watches were up for Western Tennessee Southeast Arkansas North West Mississippi and Western Kentucky. In West Memphis about 800 of the City s nearly 30,000 people were evacuated Friday. The coast guard provided three boats and mayor Keith Ingram appealed for More. The army corps of engineers was bringing 100,000 sandbags to help protect Homes from rising water said rep. Bill Alexanderd Ark. Flooding was compounded by Tornado debris which slowed drainage said City Public works director Ward Wimbish about 70 Miles Northeast of milling ton in Jackson Tenn. Up to seven families were evacuated officials said. In Little Rock Ark., water poured into the Union Rescue Mission forcing the evacuation of about 250 transients to other shelters. Little Rock police and firefighters used a boat to Rescue two women from a flooded car in Rock Creek and a wheel chair bound Man was rowed o safely. A midwestern ice storm knocked out Power to 12,000 customers in Spring held to including All five television stations officials said Crews kept working to restore Power bul ice Kepi forming on Power lines and tree branches said cily utilities of Springfield spokesman Ernest Decamp. In Tulsa okja., freezing rain knocked out Power to 8,000 customers from pub Lic service co., which dispatched 2t re pair Crews and hired nine Crews from a Texas company to restore electrical serv ice officials said. Normal flight operations resumed sat urday Al will Rogers world Airport at Oklahoma cily after Crews slowed Snow and spread Sand Over an Inch thick layer of ice on the runways said Airport lower official Bob Carly. Some flights to and from the Airport were cancelled Friday because Snow lows could t keep up with ice formation and stranded Holiday travellers spent the night at the Airport. More than 1,000 people were without Power in Abilene Texas. Elpaso had its fourth White Christmas in 70 years with Snow whitening synthetic Lurf Al the Sun bowl As Oklahoma stale Defeated West Virginia 35-33. Elsewhere in the Southwest Tucson aril., received More than 2 inches of Snow on Friday its first while Christmas on record. The homeless packed shelters in Hal City and Phoenix ariz., and Citrus grow ers tried la to protect their crops. The state department of Public safety blamed the weather for two traffic deaths and numerous minor accidents. The storm closed roads in Arizona and new Mexico including sections of sever Al . Hope entertains troops on the Okinawa aboard the Okinawa in the persian Gulf a troops aboard the amphibious As Sault ship Okinawa cheered Bob Hope Friday As wildly As their fathers and in some cases their grandfathers did. The 84-year-old comedian gave his 31st Christmas show before about 2,000 sailors and marines on Holiday break from escort and mine Clearing duties. The troops hooted at his rapid fire delivery of witty one liners and Wolf whistled As he bantered with attractive women. The sound the Crew made when the super bowl dancers Wen into their routine rivalled the noise the big mine sweeping helicopters make when they lift off. We be been doing it for so Long we know pretty Well what they want said Hope who brought along a gag writer to help him tailor his humor to each ship he has visited. I be never been to one of these shows before and i wanted to see what it was like said Doug Miller 24, a machinist from swords Creek is. I love it Hope was joined beneath the television lights by actress Connie Stevens who performed with him in Vietnam and country Singer Lee Greenwood who said he wrote his Ballad proud to be an american with the troops in the persian Gulf in mind. Stevens brought her two daughters who Al 19 and 20 arc the same age As the. Lower ranking enlisted men. Hope s granddaughter Miranda 16, held his Cue cards. So we be got a Little family Hope told a Small group of reporters before the performance Hope said he started performing for troops in 1941 and continued because the audience was so  of course in december the War started and then it became dramatic Hope said. Hope s performance organized by the non profit United services organization will be broadcast on television in january. Excitement built on the Okinawa through the Day As preparations for the Hope show advanced hand painted signs went up on the Carrier s control Tower and an Rh-53d mine sweeping helicopter was wheeled behind the makeshift stage of planks and packing crates to serve As a backdrop. This is probably going