NATION NEWS BRIEFS

HAWAII / Obamas thank U.S. troops

President Barack Obama capped a quiet Christmas on Saturday with a surprise visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii to thank U.S. troops for the sacrifices they've made, including being away from their families at the holidays. The president, along with his wife, Michelle Obama, spent more than an hour shaking hands and hugging service members who had arrived for Christmas dinner at the base mess hall. It's the third year in a row the Obamas have visited the base on Christmas. The president made no formal remarks, instead greeting service members individually. With U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other outposts around the world, the Obamas also used the president's weekly radio and Internet address to encourage Americans to find ways to support service members during the holiday season. "Let's all remind them this holiday season that we're thinking of them, and that America will forever be here for them, just as they've been there for us," the president said. Michelle Obama, who has made working with military families one of her top priorities as first lady, said Americans don't need to be experts in military life in order to give back to those who serve their country. She urged the public to reach out through their schools and churches, or volunteer with organizations that support military families. "Anybody can send a care package or prepaid calling card to the front lines, or give what's sometimes the most important gift of all: simply saying thank you," she said.

UTAH / Fatal shootout near temple

A man armed with a shotgun outside a Mormon temple near Salt Lake City was shot and killed by police Christmas Day, a local television station reported Saturday. The man had been in a fight about 12:30 p.m. with another man in the parking lot outside the Oquirrh Mountain Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Jordan, Fox13 said. Police repeatedly ordered the shotgun-toting man to drop the weapon, South Jordan police Lt. Dan Starks said. When he refused, an officer opened fire, he said. Officers found numerous weapons, including guns, swords and ammunition, in the dead man's car.