Another Month has passed here on the frontiers of freedom. As all of you know, the elections took place on 30 January propelling us into the month of February. What an amazing event that was.

Euphoria has broken out across Iraq and I can say that it has eclipsed my heart as well. January 30 was an incredible day. The terrorists tried their tricks of putting a bomb in a building, but our Sapper brothers found it as well. Then they tried to slip an Anti-Tank mine on the road just as dusk approached, but we found it. It seemed wherever a terrorist put out his head, we stopped him. Nothing was going to prevent this election from being a success. For the first time in almost 50 years, Iraqis would actually choose their leader.

It seemed that no one would vote at first in our area of operations. Until an old woman, wearing the traditional black abaya and tennis shoes walked up to the metal detector. She valiantly went forward, the entire community watching from a distance. She slipped into the building. 15 minutes later out she walked, her right hand raised with her fingers extended. They were still purple from the indelible ink that Iraq used to mark those who voted.

"I vote! I vote!" she exclaimed in a thick Arabic accent. Then she defiantly left the polling station and went home. Soon afterward, streams of people moved through the metal detector to be a part of changing history. Although, I was in a Sunni area, where voter turn out was expected to be 0, because they were trying to boycott the elections, the voter turn out was far greater than expected.

After the election, I spoke with my interpreter, Mohammed. He talked to me about how he spoke to his father on the phone. His excitement was contagious with his Arabic English accent. "Suhr, Suhr!" He exclaimed. "Suhr, my father! He tell me, He tell me about the elections. He say that many peoples in line. My entire family vote. My grandmother, who is 88 years old. She vote. This amazing time in Iraq." He stopped for a moment. His eyes had a glassy glint. "We have freedom!"

I looked away, not wanting anyone to see the tears building in my own eyes. This was beautiful. All we had sacrificed here: the two soldiers my company lost, the 11 soldiers that my battalion lost, over 2,000 that Coalition forces lost in rescuing a people from an Evil Regime, giving Iraqis freedom.

We continue to march on here. The war is not over. Far from it. We are dedicated and are out on the streets battling the enemy daily. There are still IEDs, there are still snipers, there are still threats. But the tide has turned and we are looking forward to the time we can transfer police authority over to our Iraqi brothers.

The Apaches say good bye to our FSO, LT Don Anusionwu. He performed heroicly for the Apaches. He will be heading to Ramadi to be the HHB XO for 2-17 Artillery. We will miss his gracious attitude in the company and his presence in the company and on the battlefield. In his place, we are proud to welcome 1LT Rob Kessel. A proven warrior who used to fire the artillery on the enemy will now be responsible for his direct fire weapon, the Bradley fire support vehicle. Instead of launching 155 mm rounds at the enemy from afar, he will directly punish insurgents with his 25mm bushmaster weapons system.

I want to take this time to really look at how the Headquarters platoon made a difference on the battlefield during crucial times in January 2005 which veritably proved to be an arduous and demanding month, largely due to the historic Iraqi election. However, the soldiers of HQ platoon were undaunted by the insurmountable tasks with which they were charged. Their unyielding hard-work and dedication contributed to the company's success in executing its duties as the battalion's main effort.

The crews of A6, A65, A70 and A70N distinguished themselves in January and deserve recognition. Specifically, PVT Cavazos and SPC Boo ran a month-long combat patrol of MSR Michigan, alternating days with A65 and A70. Similarly, the A70N crew conducted combat patrols of MSR Michigan for three weeks, and spent the remaining week on QRF, during which time they conducted joint patrols with the Iraqi Freedom Fighters. Furthermore, the A65 and A70N crews each participated in two battalion-level combat missions in January, and one of these missions entailed securing the voting sites on January 30 for a span of 12 hours.

Equally remarkable were the performances of SSG Falcon and SGT Mason. These two soldiers represented the company at the UAV Training down in Kuwait. Upon returning to Camp Habbaniyah, they quickly assimilated into the battalion's UAV team and have since been flying aerial missions in support of Operation Mad Max.

The Company's maintenance section deserves recognition as well. The Maintenance guys have been working assiduously in efforts to carryout "services" on the tanks as well as stand-up the float tanks for the line platoons. As always, they continue to perform well and have successfully executed five tank recovery missions from out in sector.

Birthdays this month: CPL Miller, our supply corporal, celebrates his birthday on the 5th. CPL Dobler, part of our maintenance team celebrates his birthday on the 15th, SSG Spiers celebrates his birthday on the 24th, and I, CPT Plekenpol, celebrate my birthday on the 23rd.

Anniversaries this month: SFC Robeson, the maintenance team chief celebrates his 4th wedding anniversary with Luisa. SSG Spiers celebrates his 5th year of marriage with Maryanna. Thanks to these wonderful wives for their support.

The Apaches would also like to thank Louie Giglio and 7:22 for sending over CDs, DVDs, DVD player, books, video games, food, Gatorade, sheets, wet wipes, and everything else imaginable to the company. What an amazing show of God's love. Thank you so much for that.

The Apaches also would like to thank Wilson Sporting good for providing over 150 soccer balls to give to local children at cost. The impact will be felt here for generations to come. Thank you so much for your generosity and for all those who had a part in that.