Cigars for the Troops?

[JAX]

Over the weekend Bob (Python) and I were chewing the fat and the subject of sending cigars to the troops overseas came up. Thought it would be great if we put together some care packages of cigars and sent them overseas.

I did a seach and didn't see anything.

Is this something we already are doing or something we may be interested in doing periodically? Anyone have any experience with this?

Unfortunately with the twins coming and my work load between now and I wouldn't be able to take ownership of this and give it the time it or attention that would be required, but I would definately provide support to any intiative as my time permits.

Just thinking out loud here....Anybody have any thoughts on this? Good, bad, or indifferant?

[stanthetaxman]

Our new member Citizen Carrier is over there. Maybe he could tell us how to get 'em there?
I was thinking the same thing...........spooky.......Guess it was Memorial Day and all and I used to send over ALL the time..........?

Great idea but. if you do not know a certain person to send them to then the real troops never see them. Best bet is to hope that our new person is in Iraq, and in the hot zone. Let's send them to him otherwise the boy's that are fighting the war will never see them. I think he sounded off on MyCigar site. It's very tough to send and know they hit their mark. You all know I am in Stuttgart but, not too many of the troops from here are off to Iraq. This is a tough call. We want the right people to get them now, don't we. I am all in for this as long as the fighting troops get them. We need a good address of a fighting man to get them to the right people.

If you don't think my reply is right, then lets fight. I am here. You are not.
I just want to make sure they go to the right troops.

Just my two cents.

Originally Posted by StantheTaxMan

Our new member Citizen Carrier is over there. Maybe he could tell us how to get 'em there?
I was thinking the same thing...........spooky.......Guess it was Memorial Day and all and I used to send over ALL the time..........?

Here is the thing. You all know I am in Stuttgart. Let me talk to a few people I know to make sure that our gift goes to the right place. I for one don't want to see our gift being smoked on a golf course in the safe area of a non combat zone. Trust me, I have seen it and know it happens.

I don't want them. I have too many right now.

We just have to make sure it's going to the one's that deserve.

[stanthetaxman]

I agree 100%, Patrick. Would like to get them to the ones in "combat"?

[Citizen_Carrier]

Okay, my address is...

...just kidding.

The thing to do would be to try and find units that occupy smaller, more isolated posts or FOBs (forward operating bases) with fewer creature comforts.

Larger posts like Camp Victory, Taji, Anaconda, etc. have farily large PXs likely to carry at least some varieties of cigars.

At least I believe they should. I wasn't yet a smoker in 2005 when I was at Camp Victory.

The AAFES PX/BX stores all carry Cuesta Rey and Arturo Fuente cigars, generally of the $6 or less price range. The 898 Reys being about the best of their line and the 95s being tolerable. Occassionally there are Unica cigars available, along with Quorum cigars sold by the bundle.

A few days ago there was a story about an outpost being held by a unit in Sadr City. About as grim a place as you could want to be. They have to occupy it for extended periods. No showers. Hard to resupply food even.

That would be the kind of unit that could use a few cigars, I would think. Sorry, but I cannot recall the name of that particular unit, but having a look at Stars and Stripes newspaper website from time to time would give you some units that look to be in grim situations.

Your address is not against OPSEC.

To quote.

"The AAFES PX/BX stores all carry Cuesta Rey and Arturo Fuente cigars, generally of the $6 or less price range. The 898 Reys being about the best of their line and the 95s being tolerable. Occassionally there are Unica cigars available, along with Quorum cigars sold by the bundle."

AAFES is in it for themselves. They do offer some good cigars but, you will not be getting them at any discount.

It's a shame that they have turned their service into a money making machine off the expenses of our boy's who defend our country.

I can send you all some of the best cigars you ever had. I just want a legit address and, I for one will be able to tell if it's legit.

[JAX]

Great discussion so far on this topic. I agree whole heartly with the point that I would like to see any care package get to those troops who are directly engaged in combat operations and who are operating outside the perimeter a main, secure base with an established PX.

I can run down some contacts myself on my end....

[stanthetaxman]

I will assume you guys have it handled. Waiting for instructions. I'd like to wait till next LSB and ask everyone to bring 1 or more to send, too.

Originally Posted by JAX

Great discussion so far on this topic. I agree whole heartly with the point that I would like to see any care package get to those troops who are directly engaged in combat operations and who are operating outside the perimeter a main, secure base with an established PX.

I can run down some contacts myself on my end....

I am on EUCOM Stuttgart and there is not too many on there way to the combat zone anytime soon but, I have contact in Ramstein and those boy's are off to the zone anytime and any day. Let me ask around.

I have been on a few sites and have seen first hand about 150 stick going to some state and never making it to the troops.

Again, my two cents.

Originally Posted by StantheTaxMan

I will assume you guys have it handled. Waiting for instructions. I'd like to wait till next LSB and ask everyone to bring 1 or more to send, too.

Good idea Stan. We can get it sorted out by then and have a good address.

[Acesfull]

AAFES = Another Association F**** Enlisted Servicemen...

oh anyway, here is a though,

wasnt chicksmokesstick son going to the shit in afghanistan? what happened with her. I PM'ed her awhile back asking for her son's addy once he got over there so I could bomb him.... in a good way of course... but never got it. anyone else get it? *shrug*

Another thought is I KNOW a few of the guys here in columbus in the Marine reserve group Lima Company who took really hard losses the first time they were deployed.. are going back. Maybe I can hunt up their info and see if they left and where to and if they smoked.

Oh and Jimmy if you see this is there anyone from 101 deployed you know of that smokes? maybe we can get some to those guys.

We have two guys that are in my radar maint shop deployed currently as well... one is in Qatar where he can go off base and get cubans.. so i dont feel bad for him.. plus I was there and I know how camp cupcake is..
but the other is in Iraq in a place that gets mortared/rocketed daily.. I have his email.. I'll hit him up and see what he can find out.

[Python]

I also agree that I want them to go to the guys who are in combat. I can imagine that it is tough to get some things where they are and they would probably enjoy some stogies.

I don't know much about finding out any info on it so I am awaiting instructions on what to do. I will definitely be sending some sticks when everything is set to go.

[Python]

Originally Posted by Acesfull

wasnt chicksmokesstick son going to the shit in afghanistan? what happened with her.

She is gone with the wind.
CM was saying something about how they don't talk anymore or something and she hasn't been around since then.