Former Hostages Honored at White House : Celebration: Five ‘true heroes’ join Bush in lighting the national Christmas tree. U.N. secretary general, envoy get presidential medals.

Five former American hostages--heralded as “brave and wonderful men”--stood beside President and Mrs. Bush on Thursday as Bush illuminated the national Christmas tree and officially ushered in the holiday season.

“On behalf of our loving country I say to them . . . , welcome home,” Bush said before a large crowd that had gathered on the Ellipse, the broad expanse of lawn behind the White House, for the annual lighting ceremony.

“These men have come out of darkness,” Bush said, adding that even in captivity “they were guided by that stubborn spark that cruelty could not extinguish: the spark of the human spirit.”

The freed men--Terry Anderson, Alann Steen, Joseph Cicippio, Thomas Sutherland and Jesse (Jon) Turner--and their families attended the outdoor pageant and returned to the White House for a Christmas party.

Earlier, they met at the White House with Bush, United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar and U.N. special envoy Giandomenico Picco, who were honored with presidential medals for their role in the men’s release.

The lighting of the tree, Bush said, should serve as “a reminder of what they and their companions, living and gone, have done to light our nation’s soul.”

Calling the men “true heroes,” Bush said that the nation “has never been honored by the presence of men whose spirit has meant more to all of us.”

“Your fortitude, your humor and generosity tell us the true meaning of this season. These men remind us that the glitz and glamour of material things don’t matter. . . . We need to recognize what’s really important.”

For a few moments it appeared as if the tree would remain unlighted. Anderson, at Bush’s urging, flicked the switch that was supposed to turn on the lights--but nothing happened. Bush shook the switch box, then pushed the switch himself a few times before the tree finally exploded into light.

Before the pageant, Bush presented Perez de Cuellar with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and to his deputy, Picco, the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service.

In accepting, Perez de Cuellar called the former hostages “brave and wonderful men, who at this moment understand more fully than we possibly can the true meaning of freedom.”

At the same time, Perez de Cuellar expressed sorrow that another American, Col. William R. Higgins, chief of several U.N. peacekeeping groups in south Lebanon, was murdered by terrorists after his abduction.

“I am doing everything possible to see to it that his body is returned promptly to his family,” he vowed.

All of the men emerged from their imprisonment in Lebanon in rapid-fire fashion in recent weeks, beginning with Turner, released Oct. 21. Anderson, chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, kidnaped in March, 1985, was the longest held American and the last to be freed, on Dec. 4.

Anderson arrived at Washington’s Dulles International Airport Thursday morning, where a party commemorated the birthdays he missed while in captivity. About 300 well-wishers were waiting for him in the morning chill.

The freed journalist, wearing a khaki coat over a navy sweater and pants, accepted a dozen yellow roses while a band played “Happy Days are Here Again.” Eighty-one local schoolchildren, each wearing a sign to symbolize every month Anderson was held prisoner, waved flags and carried yellow ribbons and red, white and blue balloons.

A smiling Anderson was accompanied by his sister, Peggy Say--who had campaigned tirelessly for his release--his fiance, Madeleine Bassil, and their 6-year-old daughter, Sulome, who was wearing a neon green baseball cap that read: “Welcome Home to Freedom.”

“Terry, it’s not cold here--this is the fresh air of freedom that you feel,” said Navy Capt. Bill Perry.

Anderson appeared a bit overwhelmed by the reception.

“It’s been a long time coming and it’s worth it,” he said. “This welcome is so warm--you have stunned me once again. It was beautiful.”

Carmella LaSpada, chairman of the hostage support group “No Greater Love,” wished Anderson a happy 44th birthday and lit seven yellow candles on a huge, round, white-iced cake as each of the 81 children walked across the stage and sang “Happy Birthday.”

He was given an American flag--one that had flown over the American Embassy in Beirut--a football autographed by the Washington Redskins and a two-foot Santa Claus.

Anderson told the crowd that his faith in God had sustained him.