Hi everyone,

Just wanted to jump in here a second and say "Amen" to Haas' assessment of life here at Bernstein, but I'd add to it (from my perspective as squadron commander), that so far this has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life, b/c we are able to help so many people by first securing them from the terrorists and secondly by providing money for projects which provide jobs, and get them a constant supply of water and electricity.

Today, we took steps that will almost immediately restore water to over 20,000 people in Sulayman Bak (our second largest city located just south of Tuz) that have gone without water and electricity for 17 days. Could anyone at home imagine going that long without running water?

We're also working to restore their power due to the collapse of two power line towers on either side of the river due to erosion. While the lines were down, people stole the wire so they could sell it as scrap metal. We are making a difference in many people's lives right now, and for that I am extremely proud of the soldiers of Second Squadron.

Also, I wanted everyone to know that Lee Pitts of the Chattangooga newspaper is here at Bernstein till about Sunday, so be looking for his articles starting on Wed, 09Feb. Finally, we're going to start getting some news written about the Peacemakers of Second Squadron and the Sappers of the 190th Engineer Company.

Take care everyone and thanks for all the prayers that are being lifted up to the Lord for us.

V/R,

LTC Frank McCauley

Haas' Perspective

Robert Haas wrote (in January):

I have been around this area and in the city of Tuz quite a bit and for the most part, the people are friendly and don't seem to mind that we are here too much. The kids are always giving us the thumbs up sign and begging for candy and food or whatever we will give them. They are pitiful. This place reminds me a lot of Mexico. Remember Mexico?

(Explanation: We went there on our honeymoon. It was very sad) These people live in mud huts with straw and mud roofs. It still is kind of like the days of Jesus, you see the men in their man dresses, that is what we call what they wear, and sandals and the women wear long dresses and have their faces covered and you will see them out in the desert herding sheep in the middle of nowhere. I see the kids riding donkeys around or carts being pulled by donkeys and it reminds me of the bible days like Mary and Joseph when Jesus was born. This area that we are responsible for is mostly farm country. They work out in the plowed fields, I don't know yet what they grow because it is still winter time here, digging irrigation ditches and herding their sheep around. I think the more sheep they have the wealthier they are in their little village.

In the city, there are a lot of shops and a market and a ton of people there during the day. Along the roads there are little mud shops like our convenience stores and people selling black market fuel out of jugs and cans. It is really amazing that in the 21st century people live like this. I know that after this experience, I am going to try and not take for granted the life we have and all the blessings we have been given. We are doing a lot of good things here for these people and someday it will show. It will probably not be until this generation of kids (that see us here) are grown up but they will have better lives and their kids will have better lives because of it.

The news pobably is only showing the bad things going on here and don't believe everthing you hear because there are good things happening here also. I don't want to sugar coat it because this is still a combat zone and people are still getting shot at and we are in danger everytime we go out the gate but we are doing OK. I hope this letter does not make you worry more because I know you do enough of that already.