'Stand Behind Us'

I don't go into Ramadi like I used to so I haven't gotten any more Marine hats. When I go into Ramadi it is to escort someone else or to conduct some kind of mission. We used to go there all the time, but now we are doing missions in the outlying areas and the "suburbs" of Ramadi.

The elections were very quiet over here. We think that Mooz-Hadine (spell as I say it) was stymied by out combat power. I was able to play a major roll in that I was evolved with the set up and recon of the polling sites. That was pretty cool. Not many came out to vote due to the threat of the bad guys killing innocent civilians.

We would love to have you and yours ride out to NY anytime! We have PLENTY of room but right now we don't know where we will be after this. I am going to Fort Carson, CO but I am not sure for how long. My branch said that I am going to Fort Knox to teach, or I will be on another advisor type of position somewhere. I told them I want to go to Fort Drum again, but I just don't know if it's possible. Fort Drum deploys a lot so there is no telling how long I would be there before I am either back here or in Afghanistan.

Please tell your neighbor we all say 'Hi' to our brother veterans from the great war (WWII).

I have been doing very well here. I have been told (and my head swelled) that I have been considered by most in the chain of command to be the best Platoon Sergeant within my Battalion. I don't know why for sure, but I think it has something to do with my medal.

I always try to do my best and take care of my boys. Honestly, my boys here take care of me too. We are given the most difficult missions on a regular basis due mostly to my Soldiers know what the hell is going on and being VERY good at what they do. You cannot credit me for this, though. Their motivation and dedication is what sets them apart from the infantry in general and other soldiers around them. We are off our base daily to do all kinds of crazy things that make me shiver at night. I have lost another HMMWV [high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle] as a total write-off and yet I have been blessed with NO casualties so far, still! No matter what happens, I am very proud of this and my platoon! ...

Eacho, 38, who lived with his family in Watertown, N.Y., was killed March 4 in Ramadi, along with three other soldiers when an explosive detonated near their patrol.