European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 27, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday december 27, 1991 the stars and stripes b Page 3freedom, Charity set Christmas tone by Karen Schwartz associated press crumpled paper from unwrapped Christmas presents littered the floors of Homes across the nation wednesday but some of the Best presents a Freedom peace and Charity a  be contained in gift boxes. For the first time in six years there were no american hostages in Lebanon. And unlike the past two years the nations military was at rest. Volunteers served Christmas meals to the old the sick and the poor. Tough economic times slowed donations but those who could gave clothes to the homeless and toys to children. A we could give Nice presents to All our friends but giving something to people we done to know is the greatest feeling in my life Quot said Josh do Matt assistant manager of Al Torito restaurant in Cupertino Calif. The restaurant prepared a mexican feast for 600 homeless people. Americans released this year from Captivity in Lebanon preferred private observances with their families. Santa was sighted Early Christmas morning heading South by workers at the northernmost station on the Alaska Oil pipeline said Jeff Streit supervisor of pump station no. 1 on Prudhoe Bay. The three dozen workers at the station a where its now dark 24 hours a Day a took walks in temperatures dipping to 40 below Zero and prepared a lavish Christmas dinner. A a it a kind of time to reflect on everything a Nice time a said Streit. In sunny Southern California surfers waxed up new boards and zipped up just unwrapped wetsuits to enjoy 4-foot Waves at Malibu. New parkas skis and Snow a Annette Griffin and her 2-Ycar-old daughter Princess wait in line for free Coats being distributed tuesday to the needy in Boston. About 5,000 Coats were Given away. Boards were tried out in the mountains. The Christmas spirit also hit Wall Street where Merrill Lynch amp co. Opened its corporate Headquarters so More than 1,000 senior citizens could use the telephones free. In Tucson ariz., the homeless and needy feasted on a Turkey dinner at an unusual venue a a topless bar. Two hours before closing the club had served 500 dinners said Larry Dell Cimer chief financial officer of Tda a show club. A the girls that work Here Volunteer their time on Christmas Day Quot Fellheimer said. A a they re dressed of  Janice Caldwell of Nashville tcnn., changed her Holiday plans to Fly to Texas to help victims of we Klong flooding. A i did no to expect to be leaving on Christmas Day but it really does no to bother me a said Caldwell 55, a red Cross disaster Volunteer. A the people there done to even have a Home to go to for  Quot More than 1,000 soldiers and marines from fort Bragg and Camp la Juno in North Carolina spent Christmas at the . Naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba where More than 6,000 haitian refugees Are being housed. For some it was a third Christmas away from Home dating Back to the invasion of Panama in 1989. Army reservist Robert Denton of Greenwood miss., was enjoying Christmas with his family after spending a somber Holiday in saudi Arabia a year ago. A we had a Little tree and there was a group to come by and sing Christmas songs. But that was depressing. It was t much of a Christmas one said. This year he has different plans for his wife and 14-month-old daughter. A a we re going to go to mamas this year like we be always done a he said. High above new York City in the elegant Rainbow room restaurant mayor David Dinkins entertained Holiday revellers with a Reading of a visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clark Moore. The Rev. Hosea Williams held his 21st feed the hungry and homeless dinner expecting to serve 40,000 this year in Atlanta. A you Are the honoured ones a Williams told a crowd at the Georgia world Congress Center. A you arc going to cat and drink in style. You done to owe nobody  about 1,500 volunteers served meals from 1,200 turkeys 10 cases of Chicken five hams and hundreds of pounds of vegetables said coordinator Miriam Petty. There also were 500  celebrate Holiday amid Calm chaos by Christopher Burns associated press croats trimmed Trees to the sound of artillery fire and peace reigned in the holy City of Bethlehem on Christmas Day two faces of the Holiday As people around the world struggled against adversity or celebrated Good Fortune. At the Vatican Pope John Paul ii celebrated mass for thousands of people who packed St. Peters Basilica and for millions More around the world who watched on television. The Island emirate of Bahrain held a Christmas party wednesday for 700 . Service members stationed in that nations persian Gulf port. Santa Claus Rode in on a Camel and a choir from the amphibious assault ship Saipan and dancers performing traditional Arab dances entertained the troops. Tom Hebert head of the Uso operation in Bahrain said a is is a wonderfully gracious gift from the state of Bahrain to the Young men and women of the . Gulf  Queen Elizabeth ii in her traditional Christmas Day message to Britain and the Commonwealth spoke of the a bewildering Speed of change that broke the political Mold in Eastern Europe and the former soviet Union. She urged the a free world to reflect on its own Good Fortune and help ensure that countries that have Only recently gained Freedom do not lose it. Christmas Day marked six months since Croatia declared Independence from Yugoslavia. Dense fog on tuesday Cut the danger of air raids by the serb led military and people in the traditionally roman Catholic Republic tried to forget the War for a few hours. In the Eastern croatian Village of Breece Alica and Zelko Hoo vat Hung tinsel on a tree in their front Yard to the thud of artillery fire from nearby Osytek. A normally i Spruce up the House for Christmas but this year i did not bother. What if a bomb hits it a said mrs. Hoo vat a 33-year-old radiologist. Bethlehem revered by christians As the place of Christ a birth was the most festive since the palestinian uprising began four years ago with the recent Arab israeli talks in Washington providing a Flicker of Hope for peace. Many Arab shop owners in the town opened for Christian pilgrims despite a Call by palestinian militants to close. Manger Square ordinarily a crowded parking Pope John Paul ii blesses the faithful massed for his annual Christmas address from St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Lot was cleared and choirs from around the world Sang Christmas carols to crowds that opened umbrellas against an occasional drizzle. Chinese jammed churches in Beying if not to celebrate the birth of Christ then for the festive atmosphere. A a that a what i think people Are supposed to do at Christmas a said a Young woman one of hundreds milling outside the Nan Tang Catholic Cathedral waiting for a tuesday night mass. For the first time the Cathedral had three Christmas eve masses apparently to handle the growing turnout. More than 1,000 people packed the Cathedral. Young curio shy seekers whispered to each other a a there a a priest a and a i can to see  just a Block away from Tiana men Square and the huge portrait of revolutionary Leader Mao tse Tung shone an equally Large Neon picture of Santa Claus with his Reindeer and toy Laden Sleigh flying Over a miniature rooftop with a Chimney puffing smoke. Beijing shops put up Christmas signs and decorations weeks ago. Big plastic Santa clauses adorned the front doors of Many larger stores. In Vatican City thousands of people gathered in St. Peters Basilica for Midnight mass celebrated by Pope John Paul ii. A 75-foot Christmas tree and a Nati Uty scene with life size figures decorated the vast St. Peters Square in a tradition begun by the polish born pontiff. The Pope in his Christmas eve Sermon said that poles should not be discouraged by the economic difficulties the county is suffering during its a new beginning after the fall of communism