European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 23, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Sunday december 23, 1990 the stars and stripes fad 3crisis in a he Gull Holiday worship shrouded in secrecy by Philip Shenon new York times in saudi Arabia a american soldiers and sailors will celebrate an old fashioned Christmas in the saudi desert this week Complete with festively decorated Trees troupes of Christmas Carlers and for those who can get a break from late night duty the traditional Midnight mass. But if the Pentagon has its Way on dec. 25, the saudi Public and the rulers of this moslem nation will barely notice the celebrations. Quot outside of War plans perhaps no subject is treated by the defense department officials Here with such sensitivity and secrecy As that of religion. Military officials said the hundreds of thousands of american troops in saudi Arabia As part of the International Force arrayed against Iraq Are being permitted to worship As they choose but quietly and with discretion the idea they said is to avoid offending the religious leaders of saudi Arabia a nation that recognizes Only the islamic Faith. Quot As the guardians of islam places the saudis restrict the overt practice of proselytizing of any religion other than islam a the Pentagon said in a statement outlining its policy on religious worship Quot our personnel whether jewish Christian or any other Faith Are free to practice their religion As Long As they do so in a discreet manner.�?T1 that Means that while there is a full Range of religious services on american military installations in saudi Arabia soldiers who Wear a Cross or the Star of David around their necks must keep the Symbol hidden beneath their uniforms. There Are reports of some army commanders who limit the display of religious symbols even at private gatherings american soldiers Are being warned not to discuss their religious beliefs with saudis and not to take bibles outside their compound. They arc told that in Public settings their religious services should be described As Quot Fellowship meetings a on Christmas Day soldiers will have Church services and a full Christmas feast with Turkey and All the trimmings. But All of it Wil take place on military installations away from the saudi Public. Restrictions arc also being applied to journalists who arc barred from observing any religious services on american military installations the rules have disturbed some american soldiers and sailors who said they resent that any prohibitions have been put on their religious Freedom especially in a country that they arc now being asked to defend with their lives. A saudi Arabia invited us to come Here and i believe we should be Able to practice our religion openly How Ever we choose a said spec. Smiley Wilson a 20-Ycar old Soldier from Philadelphia who is part of a chemical decontamination squad in the 82nd airborne Why can to i Wear a Cross around my neck and show it if i want to a Rudolph adds style to Winter fest by Deedee Arrington Doke Middle East Bureau in Eastern saudi Arabia Santa Claus Rode the Camel bareback clutching tightly to a clump of hair on the beige Hump As animal and rider moved toward the crowd. A the had a bag of Candy but he hold onto the bag and the Camel at the same time a said an observer watching from the sidelines. A / nevertheless Santa and the Camel made a hit when they dropped in Friday night at the 8th in 158th aviation regt a Winter fest i a a a Holiday party held outside in one of the units work areas. A we called it Winter fest because it sounded kind of German a said maj Mark Dykes executive officer. That influence comes from the regiments roots in Hanau and Wiesbaden Germany where Many of its members left three months ago to take part in operation desert shield As part of xviii airborne corps in saudi Arabia the regiment also includes companies from fort Bragg . Fort Hood Texas fort Rucker Ala. And fort Stewart a. The Mission of the non divisional aviation intermediate maintenance battalion includes component and specialized repairs for army aircraft. The workweeks have been Long and diversions few since regiment members moved into saudi Arabia. The soldiers in Remote locations sometimes receive visits and gifts from expatriate americans affection ally nicknamed the Jolly old gent himself Waves from atop regt a Winter fest i in saudi Arabia. Desert dogs to break up the Monotony. But even troops assigned closer to metropolitan centers have been allowed to leave their compounds for recreation Only once or twice it a the feeling is the soldiers need a break whether they realize it or not a Dykes said. Many of them realized it. Quot this is great it s the first time in be worn civilian cloth log ice i be been Here a said sgt. Bobby is Cerra a Power train . Mark Oatsvall a guest who is As Anua of avid on hts Camel at the 8th in 158th aviation signed to the 49th quartermaster det echoed Becerral a Praise. A usually Wco re confined to the compound All Day and All night. This gives us something to do besides fill the entertainment included an Indian variety band with a preteen Singer and the Camel which posed with soldiers for Vij. De tapes to Send Home at $2 a shot. The menu provided All american hamburgers hot dogs baked Beans potato chips and soda pop. Sgt. 1st class. Carmen Rodriguez prepared food and equipment for the gala trom 8 30 . Until late afternoon. But it Wasny to the potato chips or the cheese balls that the soldiers snapped up first Quot they wanted the bread especially the ones who came from up North a Rodriguez said of the White bread used for hamburger buns. Quot i done to know. Maybe they can to get it Quot a country Western band drawn from the units ranks provided the evenings most rousing moments with a funny and unprintable musical denunciation of iraqi Leader Saddam Hussein. The crowd cheered loudly and some Shook their fists for the chorus. A it relates to How people feel. It excites them and it gives them an up boost a band member sgt Robert Voorhies said of the song. The crowd also favored a performance by rapper spec Mark Blinn of the 256th signal support co who was flanked by two male dancers and a drummer i audiences in saudi Arabia want raps with topical humor to keep their minds off the Long wait for something to happen and they want some kinetic Tough dancing said spec. Reginald Blanding one of the dancers a they want to Sec How wild we re All going to be when we get Back to the states a a Blanding said after the foursome left the stage. Sgt. . James a native of St. Lucia in the Caribbean expects that the videotape he and a Friend made of the party will amuse him for years to come a a Well invite some friends Over sit Cook some food Hook up the Var turn on this tape kick Back and just laugh a he said of Post desert shield dreams. It by Deedee Arrington Doke Middle East Bureau in Eastern saudi Arabia a spec Lisa Nguyen has already opened her Christmas presents. The avionics technician likes to open presents As soon As they arrive. But Christmas is thousands of Miles away for pvt. 2 Greg Dick although dec. 25 is just around the Corner. His son will be 1 year old in january. His wife waiting in new Jersey for Dick to return Home is pregnant with twins due in March. A a it a hard to get in the spirit its hard to even think about Christmas a said Dick who is assigned to the 353rd trans co 68th trans in. Dick Isnit unusual in his attempt to put off a special Holiday. Many military personnel deployed to operation desert shield say they wont celebrate until they re Home with their loved ones away from saudi Arabia and the spartan lifestyle that alternates Between boredom and fear. A people think Christmas ready Isnit going to happen until they get Home i guess they think they can Stop Christmas from happening because we re not where we want to be Quot said rec Tom Morrill a native of Springfield to. But an air Force psychologist assigned to saudi Arabia says denying the Holiday can be harmful. Maj. Phil Colosimo recommends that units put up Holiday decorations a it s not like being at Home but it will help you communicate your feelings a the psychologist said. Desert duty is different from most military assignments because few of the s e Xvi c erne my ers have family in the regi Oit. That evens the playing Field for single soldiers such As spec Carlos Meza who is spending his first Christmas away from Home. A it s going to be rough a Meza said. But it also offers units the Chance to a behave As Good families would by celebrating holidays birthdays promotions and other occasions together Colosimo advised staff sgt Bert Morrison of the 8th in 158th aviation regt expects to work on Christmas Day. In a videotaped Christmas message for his family in Germany he told them that he loved hem and that he wanted to be Home. He knows his absence will affect How his family observes the Day. A i received a letter from my daughter. She said that All she wants for Christmas is that her father be Home i m trying to handle that As Best i can a Morrison said. For Morrill memories of his wife a cookies Bis aunt s Angel food cake and his Mother in Laws pumpkin pie will have to tide him Over until he can celebrate another Christmas with his family. A til get up and go to work. If in a Lucky i get to sleep until 8 of clock a the private said. A pro just going to try to survive get by. By thinking of my children a faces of thinking it wont be Long. A Santa Claus is still going to visit a at least my kids. I already talked to
