Pacific Stars and Stripes,
Dec. 25, 1952
By Don Dixon
TOKYO, Dec. 25 (INS)- United
Nations soldiers-lonely and far from home-went all out to make sure
that the children of Japan and Korea had a Merry Christmas.
Soldiers have come from all over the world to
do their part in the fight against communism, but they know that if
they have it tough, the boys and girls orphaned by war often have
it tougher.
THEY maynot be able to make the kids forget the
whine of the shell or bomb that killed their parents. But they can
make sure that the children's stomachs are full and their tired little
bodies warm.
Christmas Parties For Orphanages
Culminate Plans
Stacked in frozen tents and barracks in Korea
and in offices and camps in the milder weather of Japan were thousands
of bundles of toys, candy, food, and warm clothing.
FOR MONTHS the soldiers collected thousands of
dollars to make this Christmas day one the boys and girls will not
forget.
Virtually every unit in the security forces in
Japan and the fighting and logistic forces in Korea joined in the
dedication of this Christmas to the young and unfortunate.
The soldiers have written home for packages and
have emptied the post exchanges.
SOME OUTFITS have adopted whole villages and swept
in this morning with trucks full of presents.
Others have their special orphanages which they
have been supporting for years but they made sure the boys and girls
know this is a special day.
FROM THE SURROUNDING forests the soldiers have
brought back Christmas trees to brighten the often drab orphanages.
Children in Japan have trees with fancy lights
and tinsel. But in Korea, busy with a war, the decorations are makeshift
stars cut from tin cans, some cotton and foot powder for artificial
snow, and other crude ornaments.
PSS-240
