Cigars for the Troops in Afghanistan

[tippexx]

Would be nice to see a picture of our lads smoking them. But I guess that wouldn't be PC in this day and age!

[nicwing]

Hi Tipp
I have sent a letter with each of the packages so far, next one (or two thanks to Rokk) goes out tomorrow.

I haven't got the officers email address, they don't give them out, but I have sent mine and he has the forum details so watch this space.

[nicwing]

Hey guys, on the subject of supporting our boys I am not sure if you have seen this story:

On the 02 January 1660 General George Monck gathered his men and marched from the town of Coldstream to London.

To mark the 350th anniversary of this historic event Number Seven Company will also march from Coldstream to London along a similar route - some 400miles (approx 25 miles a day)! We will also live under canvas for some of the march in the inclement British weather in January.

This will be an extremely arduous achievement for all participants and we hope, if nothing else, only to raise awareness of the good work that soldiers are performing abroad on Operations

The guy we are sending Cigars to in Afghanistan to distribute to the troop is also in the Coldstream Guards so there is some kind of link there. Could become the adopted regiment of the forum. They certainly have nice hats!

If any of you want more details and feel like you might want to recognise these guys efforts there is a donation web site at :

http://www.justgiving.com/coldstreammarch

[Drewmidorn]

Coldstream isn't too far from my folks....its a lovely place.... and those guards are ferocious!

[celsis]

Hey guys, on the subject of supporting our boys I am not sure if you have seen this story:

On the 02 January 1660 General George Monck gathered his men and marched from the town of Coldstream to London.

To mark the 350th anniversary of this historic event Number Seven Company will also march from Coldstream to London along a similar route - some 400miles (approx 25 miles a day)! We will also live under canvas for some of the march in the inclement British weather in January.

This will be an extremely arduous achievement for all participants and we hope, if nothing else, only to raise awareness of the good work that soldiers are performing abroad on Operations

The guy we are sending Cigars to in Afghanistan to distribute to the troop is also in the Coldstream Guards so there is some kind of link there. Could become the adopted regiment of the forum. They certainly have nice hats!

If any of you want more details and feel like you might want to recognise these guys efforts there is a donation web site at :

http://www.justgiving.com/coldstreammarch

While I admire the guys out in the front line, I disagree with adopting a regiment. We have a volunteer army and when a person joins, they must realise that they will end up on a fighting front somewhere. I don't mind sending cigars to the guys but adopting a regiment, is, I believe, a wrong step.

We are not involved in defending the country, whatever the politicians say. We are involved in a war of conquest and that can never be right.

I know that a lot of you guys will disagree with me, but my stance is, "support the troops, disagree with the war."

[CakeySnakey]

I know that a lot of you guys will disagree with me, but my stance is, "support the troops, disagree with the war."

he's got a point. war is not a good thing but we should all still be supportive of the men and women who are serving in the armed forces.

[k_n_k]

Thank you all so much for your kind donations. We have enjoyed a few smokers out here and I have forwarded cigars on to some of our far outposts. I am sure the chaps living in pretty austere conditions in our check-points and smaller patrol-bases will appreciate a good cigar even more than I do.
A little on what we are up to follows.

I deployed to Afghanistan in September 2009 in order to provide
medical support to my unit, The 1st Battalion, The Coldstream Guards.
We are a light role infantry battalion, usually based in Aldershot,
Hampshire. In Afghanistan we form the Babaji Battlegroup, working with
the Afghan National Security Forces in an area of the Green zone in
Helmand Province. The area was wrested from the control of the Taliban
during Operation Panther's claw in the Spring of 2009 amid hard
fighting and at the cost of many lives, both British and Afghan. Our
unit is based from small locations we have built and protected; Patrol
Bases and Check Points. From these bases we endeavour to bring
security and development to the local population in the area. Our
soldiers patrol everyday in order to give freedom of movement to the
locals and prevent intimidation by the Taliban. On a daily basis we
engage with the enemy and we fight alongside our Afghan comrades in
order to secure and protect the people. The surrounding area is called
the green zone as it is the main farming area of the province. Local
farmers are turning away from growing opium poppies and moving towards
wheat as a staple crop which may be sold-on to bring much needed money
to improve their conditions. We have been able to help with
agricultural projects and assistance in repairing and maintaining the
irrigation waterways. Some other successful projects have been builds
and improvements to the local mosques. These building are of huge
importance to the communities. In addition to their role in worship
they are used as social centres, for schooling and meetings and even
offer ad-hoc accommodation to people travelling through the area. Two
major projects we have had great success with over the last month are
the opening of a school, albeit under canvas, attended by 150 children
who would otherwise have no access to education and the start of a
road build by our Royal Engineers which will link the towns of Geresk
and Lashkar Gah in order to bring trade and development to the area.

For my part I am able to offer help and advice to the locals who would
otherwise have to travel some distance for medical assistance, risking
intimidation and attacks. The numbers attending grow everyday and we
are able to help out with treatment for injuries and medical
emergencies and advice and care for longer term problems. About half
the attendances are from children under 12 and they often bring their
younger brothers and sisters while their parents are out working on
their land.

I get a great deal of satisfaction from everyday I spend out here. I
see improvements in the lives of the Afghan people as a result of our
work day on day and am convinced that the way we will drive forward is
through partnership with the Afghan Forces and improving the lot of
the man on the Afghan street. Our soldiers are doing a fantastic job
out here, working in difficult and often austere conditions. They
maintain a British fighting spirit along with a sense of humour in the
face of the adversity they face on a daily basis. The Afghans we work
alongside are also incredibly brave They show their courage and
willingness to learn every day and, while grateful for our help and
training, are keen to take control of their future and the development
of their country. As a Regiment, a Battlegroup and a Taskforce we very
much appreciate and value the support of our friends, families and the
Nation which means so much while we are deployed away.

Thank you all again and very best wishes from Helmand province and the Coldstream Guards Battlegroup.

Kam

[Drewmidorn]

Hi Kam

I'm glad the cigars will be enjoyed. It's the least we can do.

What ever you see in the news about the war and the politicians I think it is fair to say that all of the guys in the forces should have the full support of the British people.

Regards

D

[tippexx]

I think it is fair to say that all of the guys in the forces should have the full support of the British people.

Regards

D[/QUOTE]



Goes without saying!

[monkey66]

It is a pleasure to send a little help.

Regardless of the politics you guys and girls do one of the hardest jobs on the planet and deserve all our support.

[satch]

It is a pleasure to send a little help.

Regardless of the politics you guys and girls do one of the hardest jobs on the planet and deserve all our support.

Damn right!!

[jdawg]

Thank you for sharing with us, Kam!

I hope you and the other troops enjoy the much deserved cigars! As a military veteran myself, I know the sacrifices that the men and women in uniform make for our nations. It is the most thankless job in the world.

Keep up the great work! Stay safe and know that you have the full support of two greatful nations.

[skyhigh]

Glad the stogies arrived safely and yourself and fellow soldiers are enjoying them. Our Prayers are with you for a safe return.

[k_n_k]

Multi-National smoker last night with a Master Gunnery Sgt from the US Marine Corps in attendance, along with the Command Sgt Major (a new thing in the British Army) of the senior British General in Afghanistan.
Cigars out to troops at a check-point and a patrol base also.

Kam

[nicwing]

Kam
Delighted to hear that some of the cigars contributed by our American forum colleagues have been smoked by their troops as well as you guys.

I am off to the local Territorial Army depot in the next hour or so with a slab of Grolsh for the Coldstream Guards marching from Coldstream to London for the Army Benevolent fund, If it lies around here it will just get drunk, I suspect they deserve it more than I do.

Keep safe, Long ashes!