G I Joe holds Fourth of July party in Saddam Palace

About 3,500 US Army troops luxuriated in a brief respite this weekend, benefiting from Saddam’s taste for excess and US military leaders’ efforts to boost sagging morale.

Within the marble walls of the R and R complex a soldier can watch recent Hollywood movies, play pool or swim. ‘‘When the soldiers come in they’re dead-tired, almost like they’re in a trance,’’ said Spec. Jason Crippen. ‘‘When they leave, they’re smiling.’’

On Friday, in celebration of the first holiday since US soldiers invaded Iraq, soldiers handed out hamburgers and non-alcoholic beer to troops.

Military officials said they hope to rotate in about 500 soldiers every two or three days through the recreational center, though only about 200 visitors arrived on Friday.

There is one deficiency in even the biggest palaces — a shortage of bathrooms. Thus, in military style, even the palace has a row of portable toilets in its parched garden.

‘‘When we first came here, I was in awe,’’ said Sgt. Mike Tenorio. ‘‘I didn’t expect to come here and live in a palace.’’ Staff Sgt. Day said after years of reading bedtime fairy tales to his daughter, he sent her a mail saying he now lives in a palace. ‘‘Daddy, are you a king?’’ she asked. ‘‘I’m not a king,’’ said Day. ‘‘I’m a soldier living in a palace.’’ (LAT-WP)