Posted on Dear Editors under "Cigars for Marines in Fallujah"

Battle's End

Gentlemen and ladies of Cigar A Forums, this battle has ended for me and the Bomb Shell Lounge has moved north to Mosul to resume sometime in October with the US Army. I have come to the end of this seven month stint and will be leaving shortly. My younger brother comes in to country to take the fight north later on this fall. I have distributed the cigars I had on hand to the the various lounges in the Marine Corps sector and the remainder went in a shipping crate up north. Friday night was a smoky haze.

As odd as it may sound I hate to close this deployment out. All of you have been tremendous in your support and your donations were felt far and wide. We have been privileged to be on your receiving end. Of course now we have a bunch of spoiled cigar smokers who are about to go into shock when they find out the cost of enjoying one at home. What they won't be able to do as often is have one with comrades in arms like we did out here and for that I really do salute you all. You made a difference, you made it better.

God bless you, God bless the USofA.

Semper Fidelis,
Major Brian Ballard

"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged" - Abraham Lincoln

I think all American's appreciate his service to his country, and wish him Godspeed on his rotation back home.

Pennsylvanian by birth, Nittany Lion by grace of God.

Thanks for a job well done!! Your brother will be in my prayers. Gary former Marine 1st Mar Div Assoc. Semper Fi!!!!

"A well-chosen cigar is like armor and is useful against the torments of life." Zino Davidoff

Thanks to Maj. Ballard for his service. We, all freedom-loving people, appreciate it.

Thank you sir, I wish I would have been here earlier to join in the contributions. At ease!

~ masher

Thank you Major Ballard for fighting for this great country. It's an honor to hear from you.