A SOLDIER'S STORY; LETTERS, PICTURES, TELL STORY OF ONE SOLDIER'S LIFE IN THE SAND

Since early September, Army Spec. 4 Jerry A. Walls has been in Saudi Arabia. His mother, Nona Walls of Scott City, said excerpts of his frequent letters to her and to his 5-year-old daughter, Miranda, provide a look into what daily life is like in the desert.

The letters chronicle the months he has spent there as a part of Operation Desert Shield, and later, Desert Storm. He also sent some pictures taken of himself and some fellow soldiers. Walls said she has not yet received letters her son may have written since the start of the ground war.

Sept. 12

"Just a short note to let you know I made it here. It's very hot. When we landed it was 107 in the morning.

"We are living in a first-level parking lot at an airport that is still being built. The heat is so bad you sweat just sitting or trying to sleep. Showers are going to be few and far between. The place we're going is called Tent City."

Sept. 18

"Tonight we got our first hot meal. The wind blows all day long, blowing dust everywhere. Everything in the tent stays dirty or dusty."

Oct. 19

"Things seem to be just a little better. I've adjusted to the heat.

"A few days ago some of us went up north for the day. The people we were visiting told us Steve Martin was coming; we arrived just at the right time. The Army wouldn't let him put on a show, but he did get to shake our hands."

Nov. 7

"We now have electric lights in the tents. I've been spending a lot of time in the desert, some 14 hours a day.

"Today, we met some very rich Saudi. One of the Saudi was a stockbroker who was on vacation and came out to his farm to help with the work. He wants us to come back for lunch tomorrow. We'll be eating lamb.

"We sleep on folding cots in sleeping bags. No running water now that I'm up north. I may be able to take a shower every three days. It's better than nothing."

Nov. 15

"We are living in buildings that are made of mud, sand and grass. They are 300 years old and they look it. One good thing about the buildings: they stay cool during the day and at night they are very cold."

Dec. 17

"I can't believe the fuel prices here. The other day we were out and started running out of fuel. We stopped at a truck stop and got 10 gallons for $1.50. I hear you are paying $1.30 a gallon.

"I see you didn't have your Dec. 3 earthquake. I didn't think you would, but it made the Stars and Stripes and the Saudi newspaper."

Dec. 25

"It's Christmas morning and it sure doesn't feel like Christmas. Today we can wear anything we want until it's time to eat, then it's back in uniform. They don't give an inch.

"Yesterday I was able to go to a beach called Half Moon Bay. It was great! I waterski'd some, ate all day, swam in the ocean and took a long boat ride. I did have fun, but I had to carry my gas mask around everywhere."

Jan. 19

"Just to let you know I'm doing fine. I'm close to the Iraqi border about 35 miles away. So far I haven't been affected by the bombing. I wonder what the bombing looks like on TV.

"We have been busy. I'm working with the radar on what we call `Read Area Security,' We just make sure no one gets in our area...

"Sometime yesterday a Saudi man tried to shoot down one of our helicopters with a rifle. He did hit one of the wheels

"There are some local people who are siding with the Iraqis. That's what we are watching for now.

"The last four nights we've had to wear our chemical suits. Last night we had to go to MOPP Level #4, where we wore our suits, gloves and gas masks. All this because an Iraqi aircraft was flying toward our area, but it was shot down. Iraq also fired a Scud missile at Dhahran. Tent City is about 40 miles away.

"In a few days we are going to go to our staging area. This is the area we would start from if we go into a ground-war assault."

On several occasions, Walls wrote letters to 5-year-old Miranda. With them, he sent candy wrappers (Saudi law prohibited him from sending the candy) and schoolbook stickers he got at the local store. Once he sent her some strawberry chewing gum he was given as change in a store. Saudis will make change only in bills.

Jan. 24

Dear Miranda,

"Yesterday we went into the local town to take a shower and eat a hamburger. I ate four hamburgers. The shower was great the first one in 10 days and it was hot! We're getting ready to move to our staging area. By the time you get this I'll be there."

Jan. 28

"We are now very close to the Iraqi border. We will wait here for an unknown time, then we may do our air assault into Iraq or Kuwait.

"The weather is warm today. For the first time we don't have to wear our parkas."

Feb. 1

"I would like to read what is going on here. I haven't had a newspaper since the 15th, the day before the bombing started. The Stars and Stripes is not reaching us."

Feb. 3

Dear Miranda,

"Here are some candy wrappers. I only wish I could send the candy, but Saudi law won't let us."

Feb. 8

Dear Miranda,

"Daddy is not very happy today. I hated to miss your birthday. Maybe I'll make it home for mine. There isn't much to do here. All I can do is wait for mail."

Feb. 15

"I had my third shower today in five weeks. Today I received letters from some kids in Scott City and some pen pals. I got a package from a young couple from Michigan who `adopted' me. They got my name from a local radio station. I also got a letter from another couple who got my name from the same radio station, but they were from Ohio.

"I write to over 20 people, from little kids to single women to couples. But I still need mail from home."

Nona Walls said she has no idea when her son will return from the Middle East. She said th at before the war began he told Miranda he'd try to be home by March.

Said Walls: "She remembers that, and every few days, she says, `Grandma, when will March get here?'"