An Open Letter to All Military Personnel

Joined Apr 2005
35 Posts | 0+
Prescott, Arizona
This note has (almost) nothing to do with cigars, except that two of the subjects, people very close to me, were avid cigar smokers.

I was reading the reply by 2nd Lt James Anderson of the British Army in the New Members thread introduced by cigarsmoka. I wanted to repond to him but decided to make this an open letter to all military personnel who have served and are currently serving around the world.

This is the greatest life-lesson I ever knew; please bear with me.

My great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all United States Marines. My great-grandfather was in WWI; my grandfather served in WWII; my father was in Korea. I graduated from High School in 1978, which, of course, was post-Vietnam and post-Draft. Because of their service I felt I should do my bit, as well. In discussing this with my grandfather (who, on December 8th, 1941, enlisted, lying about his age by saying his was 25 when he was really 35) I felt guilty because I really wanted to go to college, which none of the above-mentioned gentlemen were able to do. To my surprise, he discouraged me from enlisting. I will never forget when he put his big Marine-hand on my shoulder and said...

"Grandson, the reason we served was so that, MAYBE, you wouldn't have to."

I have nothing but respect for these guys and also for all of you out there now who do so as VOLUNTEERS. So, on behalf of an largely selfish generation, allow me to say this...

"Thank you for serving, so that the rest of us don't HAVE to."

May you enjoy your fine cigars under God's protective hand, as we enjoy ours in freedom.

And oh, by the way, Semper Fi!
 
As someone who never served, I echo your sentiments most strongly. We salute those who did, who do, and who will.
 
Here Here. :cheerschug:

I have many friends serving overseas and am so grateful for everything you boys do for our coutry.

I would also like to bring some disturbing news about our government to everyones attention and how they are not being fair to our boys stationed in Germany. Cigar.com has long been one of the only sites that will ship to APO addresses becuase of the high risk of losing packages. However, recently the post master of Germany's APO post office sent me a letter informing me that cigars were not allowed to be shipped into germany even though it is an APO. I never thought I would see the day when I cant ship cigars to troops on what should be and is considered US soil. I could not believe what I was reading. Any of you military guys out there who are stationed in Germany and read this please pass along your concerns to the military postmaster over there. I know we have a lot of club members and customers stationed there that are no longer able to enjoy a fine smoke.
 
Those were very touching remarks. Being who I am, I'm very patritoic, emotional and I wear my heart on my sleeve - it's the support from people such as yourselves that make my job so rewarding. It really warms my heart. Thank you.

A motto for us all to live by (and also the latin motto of my ancestors The Gordon Highlanders):

BYDAND

Stand Fast.
 

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It figures that one of the members of The Axis Of Weasel would pull some crap like that. Just as Churchill told the English to never be separated from the Americans, and was a wise man for doing so, let's remember to never trust France, Germany or Russia for that matter. And Churchill was a cigar smoker. :wine:
 
My pleasure, Ando. And I'm sure of many others, as well.

BYDAND - I like that! My 11-year old daughter's softball team now has a new motto! By the way, my great-grandfather in the story was born in Scotland.

I once told this same story, in the same way, to a client of mine - a very successful and powerful businessman who was also a veteran of D-Day all the way through the Battle of the Bulge. He had the most awful stories to tell, which only came after much friendship and a few drinks.

I had never seen a grown man weep like he did that night.
 
Unfortuneatly I lost my grandfather at the battle of the Somme, but I read some of the letters that he sent to my grandmother whilst he was still alive, and his words still haunt me to this day.

That was a major factor for me joining the army - I wanted to make sure noone EVER has to fight and go through the things him and his comrades endured.

Bydand is the way I live my life. My surname is Anderson, which also bears the emblem of an old oak tree and the same motto...Stand Fast.
 

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Ando,

Just wondering if you enjoyed your Brazilia Anaconda? I hope you did because I am a big fan of CAO and would like the fan base to grow.

Again, thank you and your forces and all U.S. forces for what you're doing. God Bless You.
 
Uncle Ernie,

I'm afraid I didn't have time to smoke the CAO Brazilia Anaconda last night. But from what I've seen, it is a beautifully made cigar, and the Brazilian wrapper is exquisite and I can't wait to smoke it, i think I'll need a 3 hour window or so in which to enjoy it!

I'll let you know what I think after its gone up in smoke!

James 8)
 
I really appreciate your comments. Whenever I start to think that I should have gone to college instead, people like you make me proud of what I do. It is an honor to serve the country that has given us the freedom we have.

-Brandon
Electrican's Mate 3rd Class, United States Navy