GULF MAILBAG

PFC SHANNON SMITH

U.S. ARMY

PFC Smith is the son of Mac and Jayne Smith of Cape Girardeau.

He graduated from Cape Central High School in 1989, where he was a member of the soccer team. He joined the Army the fall after he graduated.

Before being stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, PFC Smith completed basic training at Ft. Knox, Ky. He is a tank driver with the "Big Red One" of Ft. Riley.

He was deployed to Saudi Arabia Jan. 8. According to his mother, he said before he left that the most important thing while he was away would be letters and pictures from home. "Thanks to all of you for your prayers and thoughts for our son,: she said.

His address is:

PFC Shannon Smith

486-76-1851

"D" Co., 3/37th Armor

1st ID (Mech.)

Operation Desert Storm

APO New York, NY 09787