Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 1, 1991 TAG: 9104010011
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ENTERTAINMENT CITY, KUWAIT LENGTH: Medium
"The Iraqis even stole the bumper cars. What savages," said the 31-year-old from Green Bay, Wis.
"What a way to spend Easter," he added.
Other American soldiers in the Persian Gulf spent Easter in the desert at services flanked by Humvees, with the roar of helicopters overhead and the rumble of armored personnel carriers nearby.
Some soldiers prayed on cots, buffeted by sandy winds and drained by Kuwait's 100-degree heat. Several at a checkpoint near the Iraqi border chased a herd of camels.
"They don't look like Easter bunnies," joked one soldier.
Other soldiers filled Kuwait City's Roman Catholic Church to pray with members of Kuwait's small Christian community. Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Indians and newly arrived diplomats filled the church, near the shores of the Persian Gulf, for a sunset service.
For the four men of the 432nd Civil Affairs Company who visited Kuwait's only amusement park on Sunday, Easter brought them face-to-face with the bizarre and random violence of Iraq's seven-month occupation.
Strolling through the empty streets of International World, Arab World and Future World, past creaky fun rides, busted-up Dairy Queens and the thatched roof of the Arab Boat Ride - now filled with dozens of nesting sparrows - it was a day also to remember home.
Lt. James O'Neil, 28, from Green Bay, had his hand on the flank of a wooden horse on the Wells Fargo Carousel.
"They used this thing for target practice," he said, fingering a bullet hole. "Heh, I can understand the bombs, the attacks, but trashing an amusement park, what's that got to do with war?"
O'Neil's company accompanied nine other members of their unit to sing spirituals at the Easter Mass at the Roman Catholic church.
"We're a little ragtag, but we wanted to help out," said Lt. Patricia Cassidy, 25, from Muskegon, Mich., who conducted the little choir.
She said the services Sunday marked the first time she had been in a church in the three months she has been in the Middle East.
"We've been praying in a warehouse out at Camp Freedom," she said, referring to the main base for American forces in Kuwait City. "It's a nice feeling to be in here."
Cassidy and others said they were happy to be in Kuwait and not in Saudi Arabia, the heartland of Islam, which does not tolerate the practice of other religions.
Near Kuwait's border with Iraq, Col. James Bluett, a chaplain for the 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Armored Division, conducted seven masses in 24 hours for his troops, many of whom were on the move north.
Singing filtered out of a tent a bit up the road.
At a Protestant service, Capt. Dale Potter, also of the 3rd Armored Division, spoke of seeing Iraqi corpses on the highway. These men, he said, should serve as a reminder of Jesus Christ, and of his Resurrection.
by CNB