I am currently serving my 24^th year of service in the U.S. Army. 

During the past quarter century, my family and I have had the distinct pleasure to have traveled around the world. Together we have lived from coast to coast and in the heart of Europe in Germany. The first three year tour in Germany was in Stuttgart, while the last three year tour was in Wiesbaden. My personal travels have included serving in South Korea, Panama, Antigua, Kuwait and Iraq.

Cigar smoking came to this smoke-free guy in a curious way. I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas in the middle of the Boom and I worked for a Major (nicked-named, Polo) with whom I admired. During that time I wanted to accompany my then-smoking wife who spent much time in the backyard with our smoking neighbors. So one day I went to our local store and picked up a box of Swisher Sweets with the honey flavored wood tips. I puffed away together with my wife and our neighbors and felt good about sharing a common vice with some good people. Each Swisher lasted through several of their cigarettes making for longer, enjoyable outdoor discussions.

One day during a field exercise, Polo met up with me while I was smoking a Swisher with a fellow soldier. Knowing this Major was a cigar connoisseur, I hesitantly offered him one of my cheap smokes which to my surprise he graciously accepted. We chewed the rag and learned something more about each other that afternoon.

Two weeks later, Polo hands me a hand made long filler Dominican churchill named, 'American Eagle'. I was touched, impressed and flattered at the same time. We went out back behind the Command Headquarters and spent a wonderful hour herfing during lunch. The whole time he schooled me on the finer points of cigar etiquette. I will always remember that day.

The Boom took its toll on me and stunted my efforts to develop my new hobby. Since I swore off domestic machine-made cigars completely I was in complete frustration. Polo had since shipped off and shortly after so did we. My wife quit smoking, so my cigar hobby was officially suspended for six years, until one day...

In Summer 2002, while in Germany out shopping in a department store on our base, I casually pass down the tobacco aisle when for some strange reason a three-pack box of corona cigars beckon my attention. I read, "Handmade, all Long filler tobacco". My head reels, my taste buds awaken and begin watering. I reach and grab the last two boxes on the shelf.

When we got home, I saw my new friend, Todd from work by his house. I ask him to come by that evening for a drink.

Todd stops by with his wife and we all have a drink. I invite him to join me in the backyard and as he follows me out I hand him a cigar. He sports a wide grin and says that all he has ever smoked was Swisher Sweets!

We sat back, light our smokes while I school Todd with the finer points of cigar etiquette. Several times that evening my thoughts quietly recall and thank Polo.

 
Ken, ‘Kilobyte”

Reyes Family Cigars Forum Admin