European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 25, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Pay 10 the stars and stripes giving thanks 3 thu May november is. 1093 Day is brightest for the almost lost life turned brighter after the pain by the associated press Clarksville Tenn. Michael Durant sat stiffly in an easy chair beside his fireplace holding his year old son and contemplating things he took for granted before Nis army helicopter was shot Down in Somalia. For 11 Days last month the 32-year-old chief warrant officer 3 was held in a Small dirty room in Mogadishu and endured the blinding pain of a leg Bone my Back Vertebra shattered when his Back Hawk helicopter crashed oct 3. A mob beat him and paraded him before jubilant anti american crowds. Quot of was sure i would die Durant said. A when that mob started coming i was pretty sure that that was going to be  in Captivity he said it. Became Clear what meant the most to him his wife Lorrie 27, and their toddler Joey. Quot i thought of three things t wanted to experience just one More time in my life. One of them was the smell of lome s hair he said. There were others. A kiss from his son. The smell of newly mown grass. Quot later on i thought about How Nice it would be to have Christmas at Home again with the family he said. All of these things were returned to him. So Many relatives and friends Are coming to visit of thanksgiving Day that the Clarksville Church the Durant attend will lend them its Fellowship Hall. And he will get his wish to be Home for Christmas too. His Hometown Berlin n.h., will Mark his return with a Parade. Home at fast and with family seven Hills Ohio for the first time in at least seven years John Demjan Juk will spend thanksgiving with his entire family. The 73-year-Otd retired autoworkers spent the last seven years in an israeli prison fighting charges that he was Tvan the terrible a a sadistic nazi guard who helped kill jews at the Treblinka concentration Camp in Poland during world War. The israeli supreme court overturned his conviction and death sentence after ruling that evidence suggested another Man was the real Ivan. He was freed two months ago but the . Government says it will try to Deport him and jewish activists continue to picket his House. Still there is rejoicing in the Demjan Juk household. Quot i done to think in be had a feeling of satisfaction like i do for this thanksgiving because we will be sitting All together As one family a said his son John Demjan Juk or. His father in t speaking publicly he is Likely to spend at least part of the Holiday playing with his grandchildren. Quot its great to see him getting to know his grandchildren a said his son in Law de Nishnic. Quot i did t want my children to grow up Reading in history books that their Grandfather was this nazi  Demjan Juk Gwen Mayfield Mother of Antoine Miller learns of the acquittals in the Reginald o. Denny beating trial. Michael Durant strolls with Hli wife Lorrie their son Joey and dog outside their Home. Her greatest Blessing was getting son Back los Angeles a for Gwen Mayfield the biggest Joy of thanksgiving is that one seat at the family table will be filled. Her 21-year-old son Antoine Miller had been charged with attempted murder in the attack on trucker Reginald o. Denny during the 1992 los Angeles riots. He faced a life term prosecutors argued that by opening the door to Denny s cab he was an accessory to others who tried to kill the truck Driver. Quot Antoine was my Only child for 20 years and to think they d take my baby away for life. Mayfield said. She paused. Quot we did a lot of praying and god said this time it won t go Down that Way Miller received probation nov. 9 after two co defendants Damian a Williams and Henry k. Watson were acquitted of trying to kill Denny. The baby faced Miller had a Tough upbringing in South Central los Angeles. He never knew his father and he was raised by his maternal grandparents. As a teen he saw his grandmother shoot Bis Grandfather to death. Then came the riots 17 months in jail and Freedom. He a not ready yet to talk about it All but he is looking for work. If that fails hell go Back to school his Mother said. Today then will bring a quiet family dinner. Quot i think pm the most blessed Mother that i know Mayfield said. Quot we re just going to have dinner together and Praise god. Antoine does t need a lot of excitement right