So me and Buckwheat are trading a few e-mails... talking about cigars and the like, when the guy up and tells me he wants to send me a couple sticks for my upcoming deployment.

Well, I think the reknowned New England school systems must have been remiss in some of their math class teachings... I was always taught that "a couple" meant two!!

So I walk out onto my front porch... to torch an Oliva O bold Torpedo, when I look down and see this box. It is a rather LARGE box. I look at the address and I see it is from Buckwheat.

I immediately think "cool". Then I opened it and cool morphed into "Oh my f***ing goodness"!

This BOTL sends me the following sticks:

(4) Carlos Torano 1916 Cameroons (yum)

(2) 1964 PAM torpedos (double yum)

(2) 1926 Padrom Maduros (haven't tried one)

(1) Ashton VSG (haven't tried one)

(1) DC Maximus (haven't tried one)

I am just stunned. I do not know WHAT to say besides THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

I can't really return the favor in kind right now, as I don't have sticks of this quality in my humidor at present. I will be picking up some "contraband" soon, though, so the good deed will NOT go unpunished for too long.

You're a mad-man Julian. Thank you again.

Well done, Buckwheat!

Now thats what I like to see....

Good job!

I can see MACS(SW)'s head spinning...which one to try first? Well quit worrying, it's all good.

Goodnight Irene! WHEAT WHEAT WHEAT! Mac, where are you going or can you say?

Smokes are easy. Service is hard. Just trying to support are men (and women) in the armed services. No need to reciprocate (well maybe 1 or 2 ISOMs ;-}. Please share some with your fellow shipmates. I look forward to hearing from you upon your return. Enjoy the smokes.

That's AWESOME Buckwheat...O-Tay!

I showed a sample of my stash on a pic post... if you were paying attention, you saw ONE of each. The only thing I have comparable at the moment are some RyJ cedros deluxe #3's and some Bolivars with their authenticity in question.

I am going to the persian gulf region. I can say that. I can also keep in touch with all you guys via e-mails and this forum, if our sattelite connectivity holds up.

We sometimes get shut down for a day or two when things get hairy, but life aboard the ship is a lot easier than the Marines have it out in the field.

We are going to hit ports, that is a given. My credit card will be at a ZERO balance when I leave... I will buy a lot of ISOM's with it... That is ALSO a given!!

There are a few brothers I can think of at this moment, besides Buckwheat, who will be getting a "care package". I leave within a month and SHOULD be back before Jesus' birthday.

Nice little Christmas presents for my BOTL's... I might even put bows on the packages... NAH!

WOW!!!

MACS, shoot me your email addy. [email protected]

Good Luck Macs, stay safe and God Bless. Please extend my gratitude to the others for their service as well.

John V.

wow, great gesture - I love seeing BOTL love spread like this!!

Mega Hooah!!!

could not have happened to a better BOTL. Great smokes - I know you like the 64 now you can compare it to the 26.

Thank you all for the support and the kind words. I really appreciate that.

Robby - e-mail sent.