From the Isle Seat Part Deux

by John on Mar.21, 2010, under Uncategorized

Some more observations on life and cigars from an old shipmate, the Southernmost Smoker, writing from his isle seat in Key West:

Several Tuesdays past marked this year’s Mardi Gras. Right up until then we spent our time on this coral island feasting, drinking, smoking and raising hell, since fasting and penance are now our fate and pathway during the Lenten season.

Back in 2001 through 2004 this southernmost cigar smoker and wife lived in local Navy base housing next door to the naval air station’s weather guesser. Born and raised in New Orleans, he started life as an aerographer’s mate onboard the USS Midway and steadily rose through the ranks.

During several severe hurricane seasons, this mustang Naval officer became a cherished member of our island’s Navy and civilian communities. His calm demeanor and accurate prognostications shepherded us all safely through the seven named storms that whacked our Caribbean island chain.

His lot was tough as each storm approached the island, since he was forced to stay in a concrete, 300 MPH wind resistant emergency services bunker while he sent his family to the mainland with the rest of the base’s uniformed members and dependents.

In 2005, his suffering became almost unbearable when almost all of his and his wife’s extended family homes were totally destroyed when hurricanes Katrina and Rita thumped New Orleans and the Gulf coast. Nonetheless, during this time and under his kid’s and grandchildren’s angelic influence, he kicked his life long, multiple pack per day cigarette habit.

Sensing his desperation under such ceaseless pressure during the particularly bad 2004 & 2005 storm seasons, I gently introduced him to pleasures of the leaf. Not wanting him to backslide, I limited his stogie therapy sessions to a one per week schedule. We would often repair with a cordial in hand each Sunday evening to one of our carports with their views of the Atlantic Ocean 50 yards in the distance to smoke something I had brought back from a friend’s store in the metro DC area.

The Navy relocated this friend in early 2006 to his native New Orleans for his final tour in the military. He left the island with a humidor full of his, my and his island friends’ leaf selections and without his previous deep cigarette smoker’s cough. He plans to retire this April after 30 years of service including two war zone tours.

Obviously the gods felt they had to reward him for staying away from coffin nails for so long. Consequently he was graced with a surprise invitation this year to ride one of the Krewe of Caesar Mardi Gras parade floats in his home town. Attached are some photos of him and the Navy Recruiting Float. He said he had a blast riding with the New Orleans’ Hornets Mascots. From the attached photos it looks like being a rock star with beads.

Weather guesser LCDR Bryan Blankenship (r) and friend enjoying some fine Cuban leaf before riding their float in the Krewe of Caesar 2010 Mardi Gras parade

Mentoring new smokers is its own reward.