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Show J tihiiii-fltawiii- i Also in ttiis section: Obituaries F2 Opinions F7 By ROBERT DVGRCHAK Associated Pms Writer Df EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA A year ego, Johnny Hams (AP) spent Thanksgiving ia Marine Corps boot camp. This year, bet have turkey with die trimmings among the flies ia the piety Saudi Arabian desert. "It's still special. We consider ourselves family in the Marine Corps. I'll miss the football though," said Harris, IS, of Chicago, a private first class in the 2nd Battalion erf the 7th Marine Regiment based ia Twentynine Palms, Calif. Of the visit to fee troops by President Bush, Karris said: Te see the higher person over as come here lets us know we're doing something good. It'll be good for him to spend some time with us." The troops deployed in the desert may not have all the niceties of back home, but their hearts are tuned to the same thoughts: family, food and football. The military has done everything St can to observe Thanksgiving for the 230,000 Americans in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield. The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service will broadcast 'Thursday's NFL game between the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos from the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. U.S. Air Force units in Oman will hold a mock Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Eight floats, TtiuimJay Per several marching units and a band with homemade instruments will be featured. Various units from five Air Force commands and 23 bases will participate. What goes into a dinner for 11 cornucopia horns. "Being out ia the desert and the beat tsnt going to change anything. It's still part of being American," said Marine SgL Dm White, 32. of Winter Haven, Fia. "It's always a sacrifice to be away from home. Sometimes you got to make that sacrifice. Somebody's got to be m the Job." Lance CpL Donald Tejis, 24. of Poway, Calif, wC be sway from his wife and daughter, Bui A wont stop him from doing bis duty. I always took holidays to stride, Tuyis said. Bey, 11 fight m Christmas Day if I have te. It want stop me." Army Sgt Daniel Walker, 2, of Sacramento, Calif, will be thinking of his wife and two kids. A National Guardsman, he was activated for duty in Saudi Arabia and arrived Nov. i. "I've spent holidays away from home before, and it's always been hard on the family," Walker said. The special menu will mean a lot to the soldiers in the Army's 75tb Field Artillery Brigade, which is one of the northernmost deployed units in Saudi Arabia. "'We haven't had a salad for months up there. For Thanksgiving, we're jetting a salad and all kinds of good stuff,' said Sgt. Kenneth Hetzer 32. don't know what we'll have for lunch. Another MKE, I guess.' pounds ef turkey have been ordered, along with 7, 000 pounds of roast beef and 45,009 pounds of baked ham. For dessert, there are 32,006 pies, including minced meat, pumpkin, cherry and apple, 230,000 Mars or Snickers candy bars donated by Saudi Arabia, 12,000 pounds of cuts and 17,000 pounds of fruitcake. The dinner menu being prepared ia fee field kitchens includes roast turkey, shrimp cocktail, gravy, roast beef or ham, bread and corn bread dressing, cranberry sauce, po- tatoes, corn, miied vegetables, fresh fruit, assorted pies and egg oog. But the troops bunkered down on the front lines may have to settle for tray rattans, which are like prepackaged TV dinners that are heated by immersing them in boiling water. They will feature turkey with dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, deserts, cakes, fruits and assorted drinks. No one will be eating turkey MREs, which is a military acronym for Meals, Ready-toa- t. 'The idea is to provide every service member with a hot turkey meal," said VS. Army Capt. Glen-d- a Kitchen, spokeswoman for mili i KufonJ ktrmz Army 1st IL Joy Law, left, Montgomery, Alau, mi Chief Warrsurt Oifictr-- S fixe SgsuSi AefeerL Eclectic, Ala.,, pack up turkeys. The birds were kept frozen inside warehouse la ome Qivm fo&di toiiGG may el a foreati WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. mil- itary forces caught in the Middle East crisis and unable to pay back taxes may qualify for special treatment, the internal Revenue Service said Wednesday. Procedures for getting more time to pay were outlined by the IRS as part of an announcement providing guidance to reservists activated because of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, to regular military personnel and to hostages held by Iraq. Here are answers, based on the IRS guidance, to often-aske- d questions: Q. Is hazardous-dut- y pay taxable? A. Yes, just like regular pay, although basic allowances for quarters, subsistence and uniforms are Q. Is there a booklet that protax-fre- e. vides details on this? A. Yes. It is Publication 3, free from the IRS, entitled "Tax Information for Military Personnel." Q. I am an activated reservist awaiting shipment to Saudi Arabia. I received a bill for past-du- e taxes, which I cannot pay. What can J do? e A. Call the IRS at and ask for Form Letter 1175. Or, you may write the IRS toll-fre- Some answers to often-aske- d now 1 giving your name, Social Security number, learn f will be activated. Since I obviously wont be buying another home soon, what is the tax situation with the profits from the sale? A. In most cases, a person avoids profit on the sale of a home if a new home costing at least as much is purchased within two years before or after the sale. If you are on active duty indefinitely or ior more than 80 days, the replacement period is up to four years. If that extended duty is outside the United monthly income and source of income before military service, current income, rank, the date you entered service and the date you will be eligible for discharge. It also would be helpful if you enclosed a copy of your activation orders. You will have to show that your income dropped because of activation. If the IRS approves, you will be able to defer payment of back taxes until six months after your initial period of service ends. You will not be charged penalty or interest during the deferment. Q. What if my income did not drop? A. The IRS will reduce to 6 percent the interest charged on overdue taxes. The money saved by paying the lower rate will not be taxable income. Q. What happens to my employer-paid health insurance when I report for active duty? A. Your employer must give you the opportunity to continue under your old plan, but you may have to pay for the coverage. Q. I recently sold my home and States, the replacement period starts one year after your foreign tour ends. The maximum replacement period is eight years inter the sale. . Q. My wife and I file joint tax returns but because she is being called up, it will be difficult to get foreig- her signature. A. Have her sign a document giving you power to sign her name. This can be done on IRS Form 2848 or by getting a general power of attorney that specifically .covers tax returns. A copy of the signed document must be attached to your return. Q. My husband is a hostage in I . r ... A. fn 1 WL... k XX'' didn't anticipate spending their first anniversary on Thanksgiving "Day driving trucks in different parts of Saudi Arabia, thousands of A t: , " son. miles from their For Pvt. 1 Michelle Lawrence, granted only under .the condition that last names are not used. "I just want to get going. (AP) SVj-ho- ur Operation Des- er The bride added, "He's being strong for me, so that ld ; helps.... My whole life is turning upside down." Ceremonies were moved up to Monday in the courtroom of 2nd District Judge Stanton M. Taylor after Owens got her marching orders Saturday as part of the callup of the Army National Guard's 144th Medical Evacuation Hospital. V ' Pvt. Michelle Lawrence of Battle Creek, Mich., stands newlywed husband is also in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Army 1 She signed up for 6 years and has been in for 2V4 years, driving trucks. On Nov. 22, 1989, she married fellow truck driver, Spec. Rodney Lawrence, and started a new life, excited at the prospect of completcourses. ing more pre-la- w "We used to be in the same unit," she said. '"When we got married, according to military laws, they split us up." Their first child was born just after Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2. Shortly afterward, Lawrence's 96th Transportation Company was at a depot in Saudi Arabia. Her ordered to Saudi Arabia. Then, 2 .looking after them and the baby, weeks Later, her 180th TransportaRodney Jr. "I've talked to them one time on tion Battalion from Ft. Hood, Tex., the phone since I've been here, the was deployed here. oldest one isn't doing too bad. The "I knew I had to go so I volunmiddle one is really taking it hard. teered to come with our advance over He's always talking about 'MomI could get so up, hurry party here, get it over with, and get back ma, I want you to come home. Momma, I miss you. Momma, home," she said. But with no rotations because of come get me.' "It's hard to talk to him. I try the additional U.S. troops being deployed here, she said, those who and talk to Tony as long as I can arrived first will end up staying to make up for the tears that I shed with Brandon." longer. Since her arrival about seven Before Lawrence left, he adopted her two oldest children, Tony, 3, weeks ago, Mrs. Lawrence has trucks. been driving five-to- n and Brandon, 2. His mother is now OGDEN (AP) Authorities admit they're not sure wliat to do about an Army reservist called to active duty before he could appear in court on a burglary charge. Victor Hale of the 419th Transportation Company was on his way to Fort Lewis, Wash., early Monfor day as part of the call-u- p Operation Desert Shield, just hours before he was to appear in 2nd District Court to enter a plea to the burglary charge. Family members said the Army told Hale he couldn't watt. Defense attorney John Caine had been arranging for Hale, 19, to plead guilty with an eye to receiving a sentence that would permit him to leave with the 419th, part of the 96th Army Reserve Commana, that aay. ear is Heaving "! SLeslifi, she scried when :She found said & had been activated. Her husband Jeril, id, .said ; the whole preparation period I has been hard to endure. "It will be hard being apart and not knowing what will hap-pen. It's scary. She's a fragile thing. 1 was line when she told me, but when she had to fill out her will, that's when it hit jne," he said. Utah National Guard Maj. ', Gen. Jolin iL. Matthews .agreed ; with unit members that the sepnd arations will be difficult "an added burden to deal with." .Matthews said the Activation .came under an order that au-- : thorizes President Bush to call-- i a unit up for 90 (days and to ": renew that for .another :B0 .days tout she without .congressional .approval, "Anybody who ieaves in tthis allup needs to expect that the " .probability that the president will extend it for .an jadditional 90 days lis wery, very 'high,"";-.Matthesaid. "You ought not . to assume that .at the end ,of ;80 days you are going to ibe com-ing home." ; (See CALLUP., Page F2) Taylor had been asked to eonditut 8 ceremonies. His .courtroom was chosen Monday to facilitate his schedule, since Owens js scheduled to head to Fort arson, Goto., on Wednesday. There's still a chance that date could be delayed for Tlianksgiving, she said. "We're, of .course, All . praying for Friday." The bride said she anticipates y minimum assignment to an evacuation hospital in Saudi Arabia and is afraid a conflict :may be .under way before her .tour jnf duty ends. "I don't think anybody is expecting to come back at the end of the 180 days," she said. "J would say something is going: to come out of it, and I don't think it's going to be peace." The couple is foregoing a planned three-da- y honeymoon in a Nevada casino. the Dec. i 180-da- Alleged burglar goes AP Laterpiioto if hurries wedging slapped-togeth- i, the best Thanksgiving present be to see her drive away in husband, a Calf up said her biggest her husband behind. ws 1 wedding in which the license was almost forgotten and the bride's ring was sized minutes before the "I do's." At home, 350 wedding invitations for their .original Dec. 8 date lay unmailed. Fausto, 32, said he was "shocked" by the sudden nuptials. "It happened so fast." ; would Mich., said she would choose a peaceful, stateside job and quit the Army. "When I joined the Army, I never believed I'd be in a place like this. Back home is such a beautiful place. When' things come up like this, it brings reality to the job that you're actually doing." she said. Mrs. Lawrence candidly ndTiitti she joined the Army so she could go to college, become a lawyer, and get comprehensive health coverage for her ehildren. .'For security reasons, interviews with unit jtnembers are OGDEN f ; from Battle Creek, SALT LAKE CITY ((AP) Members of the Utah National .Guard's 344th Evacuation Hospital say the waiting and goodbyes are so far the worst part of being culled to duty in Operation Desert Shield. Some expressed fear of the unknown during a meeting Jar the group and their families Monday night. But many also voiced solidarity with troops now deployed in the Persian Gulf and said they want to help if war breaks .out between Iraq and the United States. "I just want to get going, but it's hard to keep .going home and keep saying goodbye every day and have .to go through the .crying .all over again," Jiaid nurse who Parker, a leaves in five tdays for Fort Carson, .Colo,, along with doctors, 49 nurses and other healthcare professionals. ert Shield brought Sherry Owens and Tony Fausto into a ' mil prepares to ship ml Parker said. Another unit member who was married six months ago By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press Writer IN EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA When Michelle and Rodney (AP) ! Lawrence got married, they really the northern desert, and to get home as quickly as possible to her Infant son and two older children. ' Though some military couples 'have thrived here, others like the Lawrences have been torn between military duty and 'family commit--' ments back home. The huge U.S. deployment in the Persian Gulf shattered Mrs. Lawrence's family, heightened her anxiety, and turned her against the Army, which ordered her to leave Rodney Jr. when he was only five weeks old. "They said, you signed a contract, you have to go," she said. "I don't think it's fair that they split families up like this because not everybody needs to be here. ... (It's) extremely heartless." If she had the opportunity, the Guard hccpilal don't want any more .delays;" Thanksgiving 'anniversary behind wheel J Iraq and the IRS sent a notice about our 188 taxes. What .can I do? A. Call the IRS at and the IRS will suspend any .collection or iiudit activities. Any penalties charged while your husband, is being held generally will be waived. Q. What if my husband is still being held when our next lax return is due April 15? A. Assuming you file joint returns, your filing deadline will be extended until tiie 15th day of the third month following his release. You should notify IKS at that you need the extension. 4J. I am not in the military but had to leave Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion. What happens to the n-income exclusion I have been expecting? A. Under certain conditions, an American working abroad but .not for the UJS. government may avoid tax on up to $70,000 of foreign earnings each year. You must be a resident of a foreign country for an entire tax year or be present for at least 330 days during 12 .consecutive months. Those residence end presence tests have been waived for 1990 for Iraq, Kuwait, libya and Yemen. questions l If!? p3iaD tary operations here. "We're trying to make tt a festive event." Part of the trimmings include decorations el paper turkeys and 239,908? Well, 30,009 mashed potatoes, glazed sweet Nov, 22, 'AVVOL' Caine said he didn't know Hale had left until the lawyer came .to court Monday. Maj. Bill Auer, spokesman for the 96tb, said Tuesday, "He's probably driving a fuel tanker somewhere between here and Fort Lew- is." The 419th is being sent to Washington state in anticipation of probable deployment in the Persian Gulf, Auer said. "I don't know what the hell we're going to do now," Cauie said late Monday after Hale's hearing before Judge Ronald O. Hyde was canceled because of the defendant's no-sho- Caine said his client apparently found himself in a difficult .spot. |