February has passed us by and we find ourselves moving into March. This past month was pretty quiet on the whole. The First Sergeant fresh off leave has taken the slower pace as an excellent opportunity to improve the Apache Grounds. Work was started on painting the entrance to the Apache Hangar and also to furthering the landscape development in front of the Apache Tower. The EE-9 CASCAVEL was finally dug in with the help of C/44 Engineers. The EE-9 Cascavel is an Iraqi Vehicle that has a 90mm main gun with a COAX 7.62mm, and in its prime had a 12.7 mm machine gun (.50 Cal). To complete the Tower front lawn is an old British Artillery Piece as well as a British Anti-Aircraft Gun. A flag pole was erected in the center that at the base will be a memorial to SSG Vaillant and PFC Titcomb, the first two soldiers of Apache and the 1-506 BN to have fallen in battle.

In 1st Platoon's corner, three Reapers, SSG Schied, PFC McGranahan, and PFC Enyia went home for well deserved leave. PFC Enyia is now engaged! Congratulations Enyia! PFC Couch had a birthday on the 21st and is now 22 years old. They celebrated with a traditional 'tying of the soldier to the gun tube'. SSG Bayas, SGT Gallardo, PFC Couch, PFC Romero, on the Reaper 2 tank destroyed two IEDs in the month. PFC Romero spotted one of them and an Iraqi pointed out the other one. Great job guys! Reaper 4 (SSG Kishbaugh's tank) and 3 (TC'd by SGT Ottinger) conducted a mission near the Euphrates which turned out to be very non eventful, but the infantry really appreciated having a couple of big boys by their side while conducting their missions.

Other highlights from within the Company come from third platoon who also enjoyed a relatively quiet month. The mighty Titans have once again struck fear in the heart of the insurgency. Non-believers are claiming that the cold weather had something to do with the lessening of bombings and shootings. They have their theories and we have ours. With the insurgents out of sight and out of mind for a few weeks, third platoon had no other alternative but to get some well deserved sleep. While the fight between good and evil continued here in Iraq, third platoon had three of its members go on R&R to see their loved ones. 1Lt Stewart, SGT Ha, and SPC Mendez were able to spend a well deserved 15 days away from the hardship to return with a renewed spirit, ready to take the fight to the enemy. The platoon remained in capable hands with SFC Davis stepping up to the role of acting platoon leader and SSG Rangel to acting platoon sergeant. As commander, I want to extend a special thanks to SFC Davis and SSG Rangel doing such an excellent job in their platoon leader's absence.

The Apaches are continuing to look forward going home in a couple of months. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we fight the good fight. Everyday is still a day of danger as Apaches continue to patrol the streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Special Thanks goes to Northpoint Community Church for sending video games, MP3 players, CD players, DVD players, DVDs, CDs, Gatorade, and pretty much anything else you can imagine for our troopers. Northpoint Community Church of Alpharetta, GA also featured us in their February Newsletter. 7:22, a singles bible study that has an attendance of 3,000 people weekly from across the Atlanta area, all pitched in to make our time here in Iraq very special. They even sent us Sponge Bob Square Pants Sheets! Does it get any better? Another Special Thanks goes to First Baptist Church of Dallas, GA for 9 boxes of goodies and much needed supplies. Also the beanie babies were a great hit with the Iraqi Locals. In fact, the children were in particular touched by this amazing generosity. As commander, I see the difference in the way that the children look upon the tanks. They see them not as a threat, but as their protector. And that is what we are here to do. Protect them and provide them a fighting chance at Liberty. Another thanks to Virginia Cook Realtors of Dallas, TX, who sent all of our men Valentines, and sent us Valentines to send home. Virginia Cook connected with In-Him.net and partnered with Anne Beach of Wilson Sporting Goods of Richardon, Texas who sent us 150 soccer balls at cost to hand out to the children of Iraq. What a difference that makes. It is so amazing to see how the most blessed nation in the world is generous in giving to those who have nothing. Another thanks to Community First Credit Union of Appleton, Wisconsin who have pitched in to give my soldiers the supplies we need and really don't have that much access to.

As you can see, the American people have rallied behind the Apaches and we are very humbled and thankful for that. There is a something special about how Americans look upon their soldiers. My First Sergeant who just returned from leave let me know that while he was in a restaurant, no one would let him pay for dinner. He had several people just drop 50 dollar bills on his table and just say, "Thanks." What a touching sentiment. I cannot tell you how proud that makes all of us feel. That is a great reason for us to go on leave while we are here. Sometimes, in the midst of being here, you forget that those who sent you here from the US really do love you. So thank you to all Americans for your patriotism and love!

God Bless You All.