Here is the birthday message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps:

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As a cigar blogger (albeit not a regular one lately), I take my cigar smoking seriously.  I try to thoroughly evaluate any cigar I smoke so that I can properly transcribe my evaluations and observations to you my readers.  I give you my opinion on cigars based on the experiences I’ve had with the cigars I’m reviewing.  And the truth of the matter is that my opinion is just that, an opinion.  I try to remain as objective as possible and tell you about objective characteristics like burn, construction, wrapper appearance and the like.

But, does it taste good?  What is the aroma like?  Is this the best cigar I’ve had or is it just so-so?  I can answer those questions for myself and describe them to you, but can’t answer for you.  I like full-bodied cigars.  You might not.  I think that thinner ring gauges hold more flavor.  You might disagree.  I might like woody flavors whereas you like more spice.

So, if you ask me what my best cigar is, I’m going to give you my opinion.  If you ask me what my favorite cigar is, you’ll get my favorite answer for that day/week/month; however long my current favorite remains my favorite.  And, if you tell me what you like, I can guide you to things I think you might enjoy based on my experience and knowledge.

But, if you’re looking for the best cigar, you’re going to have to find that one for yourself.

If you already know, tell me what your best cigar is and why…  Maybe it’ll help others find theirs.

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I’m not here to bring anybody down, but I do want you to think about this day and about where America has come from and where America is going.  Many of us get apathetic about the big picture.  I’m guilty of it myself sometimes.  I get busy.  Work is kicking my ass, and I barely have time to have a cigar many days let alone start worrying about the future of our great nation.  But, I have to remind myself of the responsibility sometimes.  I’m hoping to remind you as well.  America is still a great nation.  We’ve tripped up some, but we’re still standing tall.

I hope that as you enjoy your best cigar today, you think of the many military and civil servant heroes that have helped us maintain the freedom we’re so lucky to enjoy.  I hope that you think of the dream that America still is for so many others who don’t know freedom.  I hope you kiss your wife or husband, hug your children, pet your dog, and as you puff away, remember, that we are all lucky in our own way to be part of the American dream.

Happy 4th of July, y’all!!

Image by: Express Monorail

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• Avalon Juke – Nice Tight Ash
• Famous Artisan Nicaraguan Edition – Stogie Review
• Montecristo No. 4 – The Cigar Spy
• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art Maduro – Cigar Inspector
• AVO Lounge Edition – A Cigar Smoker’s Journal

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Here’s what’s been going on around the blogs:

• CAO Gold Vintage – Toasted Foot
• Tatuaje Especiales – Fire Up That Cigar
• Cohiba Behike BHK 56 – Cigars. ie
• Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Legend – Doc Stogie
• Malfetano – Stogie Review

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Anyway, even though I haven’t been posting any cigar reviews, my compadres have.  Here’s what’s up for this week:

• AVO Limited Edition 2010 – A Cigar Smoker’s Journal
• La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Matatan – Stogie Review
• Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona – The Stogie Guys
• Graycliff 1666 Pirate – Nice Tight Ash
• Don Pepin Garcia Classic 1952 – Cigar Inspector

There you go, y’all.  Check out these reviews and leave some comment love for these fine fellas.  You know how we love some comment love.  I hope to have some new reviews of my own coming to you soon.  Stay tuned.

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2009 Birthday Message from Marine Commandant General Conway:

2009 Commandant Birthday Message:

R 051329Z OCT 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 033/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE – 10 NOVEMBER 2009//GENTEXT/REMARKS/

1. UNITED STATES MARINES REPRESENT THE BEST YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER. TO BE A MARINE IS TO BE A MEMBER OF AMERICA’S WARRIOR CLASS – TO BE ONE OF THE FEW WHO STEPS FORWARD WITH THE COURAGE AND CONVICTION TO FACE WHATEVER DANGERS AWAIT. OUR NATION EXPECTS HER MARINES TO BE READY WHEN THE NATION CALLS; TO LEAVE FAMILY AND THE COMFORTS OF HOME BEHIND; TO MARCH INTO BATTLE AND THRIVE UNDER AUSTERITY; AND TO COME HOME UNDER A VICTORY PENNANT.

2. FROM AL ANBAR IN THE WEST OF IRAQ, TO HELMAND PROVINCE IN THE SOUTH OF AFGHANISTAN, OUR CORPS OF MARINES CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO BE FOUND WHERE THE FIGHT IS TOUGHEST. SUCH IS OUR HISTORY. TODAY, AS WE WRITE THE FINAL CHAPTER ON OUR VICTORY IN IRAQ, WE WILL INCREASINGLY TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY IN AFGHANISTAN AND ADD NEW PAGES TO OUR LEGACY IN PLACES CALLED DELARAM, NOW ZAD, AND GARMSIR. ONE DAY, WE WILL RETURN TO OUR NAVAL HERITAGE AND PATROL THE HIGH SEAS WITH OUR NAVY BROTHERS. SUCH IS OUR FUTURE.

3. AS WE CELEBRATE OUR CORPS’ 234TH BIRTHDAY, WE FIRST PAUSE TO REFLECT AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE GIVEN THE LAST FULL MEASURE IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO OUR MARINE CORPS FAMILIES – THE UNSUNG HEROES WHO ENDURE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND ACCOMPLISH ANY MISSION. WE EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR COUNTRYMEN WHO HAVE ANSWERED OUR EVERY NEED. AND WE CELEBRATE THE MAGNIFICENT MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILLINGLY AND SELFLESSLY CONTINUE TO GO INTO HARM’S WAY TO PROTECT THIS GREAT NATION.

4. TO ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE, TO THOSE WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM TODAY, AND TO THE FAMILIES THAT GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO FORGE AHEAD – I WISH YOU ALL A HEARTFELT HAPPY 234TH BIRTHDAY!

5. SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

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The herf was organized by a couple members (Jason and Tony) of some popular cigar forums and was announced through those forums and on facebook.  I, myself, was a last minute attendee otherwise I would have made an announcement for others to join in on the fun… and fun it was!!  Of course, whenever you get a bunch of cigar lovers together it just tends to be fun.  There were some great cigars smoked, plenty of beer imbibed, and great camaraderie among friends, new and old.  Personally, I got to meet up with some guys I’ve known for years but had never met in person; and, I got to see some old friends that I hadn’t seen in awhile.

The weekend started early Friday afternoon with a pre-herf taking place at James’ house and lasting well into the night.  Saturday saw some great burgers at Dutch’s, some good beer at the Rahr & Sons brewery, and then the main event at Paddy Reds Irish Pub.  Of course, never willing to let a bar-closing stop us, some of us returned to James’ house for a little after-herf continuance of smoking and drinks.  Unfortunately, that’s where the herf ended for me, but not for many of the guys.  Sunday saw some post-herf activities, again at James’ house for drinks, smokes, and football.

Also, during the herf there was an auction of some fantastic cigars donated by attendees.  Overall, the herf raised more than $2400 for a local Ft. Worth charity: the North Texas Veterans Assistance Association.  I’d say that’s one helluva showing!!

So, since in the case of herfs, it didn’t happen unless there are pics…  Here are the pics.

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Mario Grigorov is “best known for conceiving and creating the 1998 classical crossover hit, Aria, with composer Paul Schwartz.”   Now, to describe this album in one word: Sexy.  Sultry.  Sizzling.  Stirring.  You pick the one you like.  From the beginning, you’re sucked into this album and transported to the tropical beaches of Cuba or the streets of Havana.

The first song Cuban Soil, Cuban Sun is reported to have been named after the finest ingredients of a Cuban cigar.  It’s a medium tempo stroll with your lover along the streets of Havana at dusk.  Its rhythm grabs you and you know why Latin lovers have the reputations they do. I See includes the vocal talents of Melissa Newman, and this is where the “sultry” comes into play.  Her voice is teasing, but clear enough its meaning.  You can’t help but think of her singing these words in your ear in the dark corner of a quiet Cuban cantina.

Ice Hotel puts you on the dance floor, and if you can’t sway your hips with this song, then you need to learn.  Your lady will love you for it.   Every Little Movement keeps you on the floor, but now you’re moving.  Ms. Newman lends her talent again and seduces your vanity.  You can imagine her words being spoken by your love and lose yourself in them.  Every man’s woman should feel this way about him.  The title track Paris To Cuba makes me think of one of those romantic resort huts out on a secluded Cuban beach with my woman drinking mojitos in the candlelight.

I won’t continue to bore you with my inept writing skills as a music critic, but if you like Latin music of the romantic variety, then you need to try this album.  Buy a bottle of wine, get some candles, bring dinner home for your wife, put this on and dance the night away in your living room.  You’ll thank me.

Here’s a little preview:

Before She Walked Away

[audio:http://www.cigarcommand.com/wp02/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/beforeshewalked.mp3]

You check check out clips of the other songs at the official Paris To Cuba website.  They’ve also got facebook and MySpace.

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Okay, so I got one cigar in this week, but not one to rave or whine about in review.  Thank goodness there’s a healthy cigar blogosphere to keep us in the loop of all the great cigars out there to smoke.  Here’s a few of them:

• Rocky Patel Summer Collection 2009 – Stogie Review
• Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfeccion No. 2 – The Stogie Guys
• Partagas Serie D No. 5 Limited Edition 2008 – Cigar Inspector
• Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles – KOTF
• Illusione Epernay – A Cigar Smoker’s Journal

Don’t fear, my faithful readers, the cigar reviews will continue in the near future.  Thanks for being so patient.

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