Jun 21 2008
In April 2007, we launched our "Cigars For Troops" program, in cooperation with Major Mitch Fadem, who was then stationed in Afghanistan. The purpose of the program is to support America's Finest cigar smokers who are serving overseas in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Cigar companies as well as individuals are encouraged to send cigars to the following field officers:
- Jonathan Funk
CSTC-A CMD SURG
APO AE 09356
Email: echoagain@gmail.com - Thomas Coppersmith
727 EACS/BALAD/USAF
APO AE 09315
How to Send Mail to the Military
Military Care Kits are available free of charge from the U.S. Postal Service by calling 1-800-610-8734 and selecting Option 1. Just ask for CAREKIT04. The care kit contains free supplies, postage must be affixed. For more information, visit usps.com/supportingourtroops.Acknowledgements & Updates:
Click Here For The Latest Updates with PhotosJanuary 8, 2008
Check out New Year's acknowledgements, pictures, and cigar reviews sent especially to you from our troops.
December 26, 2007
As we finish off this holiday season all of us need to take time and think about all the men and women of the armed forces defending freedom away from their homes, families and friends. A large thank you goes out to those who have not forgotten and generously sent cigars and other items to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Larry Lynn of ‘lynncigars.com’ , a very big supporter of this program just sent many bundles of cigars to troops at Camp Buco and Camp Adder, Iraq. Camp Buco is the largest military prison in Iraq located right on the Persian Gulf and its detainees include some of the most dangerous criminals and terrorists captured in Iraq. Camp Adder is located at Talill Air Force Base in Southern Iraq and the main hub for military operations in that region.
Jerry Hermanson of the Mermanson Company in Washington State, one of Lynn Cigars’ customers, sent a box of special premium cigars to Chaplain James Fisher, CAPT, USN in Afghanistan. Chaplain Fisher is in charge of the Religious Ministries Directorate for the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan. This remarkable service man and his team are not only responsible for the spiritual well being of our troops but they are also teaching and guiding their counterparts, the Religious Cultural Affairs Officers of the Afghanistan National Army about ministering to their troops and communities, morale building and religious tolerance. CAPT Fisher’s mission is a very important aspect of what the allied forces are doing in Afghanistan (He was my commanding officer during my tour there and the best military officer I have ever served with).
Larry Monte of Monte’s Pueblo Pipe Shop and ‘nmCigars.com’ , another great supporter of ‘Cigars for Troops’ and his staff (Larry, Jean, Keith, Roger and Gina) just sent hundreds of cigars Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. These cigars were then distributed to Camp Phoenix, Camp Moorehead, FOB Kandahar, and troops at Bagram Air Field. Nearly all the troops that are deployed to Afghanistan come through Bagram and it is the center for advanced medical treatment of battle non-battle injures. Camp Moorehead is one of the special Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan where the US Army trains the Special Forces of the Afghanistan National Army. The troops at Camp Phoenix run daily convoy duty throughout their area of operation and have been the target of many attacks by terrorist groups. FOB Kandahar is one of the southern most bases in Afghanistan and under constant rocket attacks. There are around 2000 Canadian soldiers stationed there and in addition to enjoying a cigar on their off time they constructed a hockey field in the middle of the base and hold their own min-version of the Stanley Cup during the Winter months.
A special salute goes to the members of the Albuquerque Cigar Club (Art, Bill, Paul, Big Jim, Mike, Eric, and many others) that filled a large box of stogies just before Christmas to send to the troops in many of the Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan.
Bill Schlegel, an Air Force civilian employee working in Tokyo, sent a box of CAO L’Anniveraire cigars and Japanese candies to the 755th Expeditionary Support Squadron, one of the Embedded Training Teams in Afghanistan. The 755 ESS is a group of US Air Force men and women tasked with training members of the Afghanistan National Army in vehicle and equipment repair, computer networking, and many other military support activities that help will help to build better defense forces for Afghanistan. Rob McMillian of Lone Oak Property Corporation (not sure where in the US he is) just sent a box of cigars to MSgt Chris Dunham.
Of course I personally support the program by sending cigars as well and just sent about 200 assorted cigars to MSgt Chris Dunham and all the members of ‘CECS’ (the Camp Eggers Cigar Smokers) in Kabul, Afghanistan and will continue to do so until they are all home and safe. Camp Eggers is the Headquarters for the Combined Security Transition Command of Afghanistan and deployed troops from the US Army , Navy, Air Force, Marines and soldiers from the Armed Forces of Germany, France, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Albania, Netherlands, Poland, Canada, and many other countries as well as many retired US military personnel that have volunteered their expertise to help Afghanistan build a better military and national police force.
Thank you all for your continued support of this program especially during the holiday season. That time spent relaxing with other troops smoking a cigar means more for morale than anyone can imagine.
Mitch Fadem
Major, US Air Force
Kirtland Air Force Base
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Afghanistan Campaign Veteran
