Pacific Stars and Stripes,
Dec. 28, 1953
SEOUL, Dec. 28- Santa Claus almost failed to show
up at the Tuberculosis Orphans Home in this capital city, when a fire
destroyed their gifts on Christmas Eve.
Troops of the 30th Medical Gp., sponsors of the
institution, had brought the gifts to Seoul the day before Christmas.
The building in which the presents were stored went up in flames during
the night, and building and gifts became a pile of ashes.
Christmas morning the youngsters were awaiting
the arrival of Santa at 9:45. At 8:45 members of the 30th approached
other Eight Army units in the Seoul area for emergency aid.
The Civil Affairs section pitched in and got help
from the Korea Civil Assistance Command and the 23rd QM Gp. who shared
items collected for distribution under their own sponsorship plan.
Eighth Army headquarters Chaplains Section meanwhile
provided the 30th with enough knitted goods, candy, nuts and toys
to make the stricken orphans happy again.
The case of toys was one of many brought from the
U.S. by Cardinal Spellman who is chapel-hopping along a winterized
front.
After a morning rush hour, Santa arrived on schedule.
PSS-330
