Monday, July 02 2007
By Michelle Key
KANSAS CITY, Mo.- Recently, the Outlaw Cigar Company of Kansas City, Mo., held a "Bad to the Bone" event at their Kansas City store. The Missouri National Guard Soldiers were welcomed, with Staff Sgt. Terry Turner and Staff Sgt. Chad King attending the event, along with over 800 other guests.
The Missouri National Guard Soldiers brought an Apache helicopter with them this past month, a tactical truck in May, and an artillery cannon in April.
"We like to bring in the military items because they are very popular," noted manager Scott Powell.
The Outlaw Cigar Company not only brought in the Missouri National Guard, they also brought in a knife and lighter company, a famous cigar roller, and plenty of food and drinks all free of charge.
"We smoke a 200 pound pig at every party, and that's still not enough. We also grill about 450 Italian sausages too. We also have 10 kegs donated, along with pop and water," commented Owner Kendall Culbertson.
At the June party, Jose Pepin Garcia, Fidel Castro's personal cigar roller attended. After moving to the United States from Cuba, Garcia is more proud than ever to live in the states. In a conversation with Culbertson, Garcia said that if the country needed him to enlist, he would. The party was full of Military supporters.
Outlaw's owner Culbertson is a supporter himself. Each week for the past three years, Culbertson ships two boxes (about 50 cigars) to Soldiers deployed. Each package comes with a sign of the Outlaw logo. A note is attached asking to please take a picture with the sign. Culbertson has received letters and pictures from Soldiers around the world.
"All the pictures I get I put on our Web site. I have pictures of Soldiers on Christmas with Santa hats and cigars, Soldiers sitting in Saddam's chair, and Soldiers holding the sign in the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan," explained Culbertson.
Culbertson commented that after a long day, the Soldiers need to get out of their heads and relax.
"I'm really fortunate because now I don't have to go looking for the Soldiers. I'm finally at the point that I'm getting names from people in the area," noted Culbertson. "It's really great to support local troops."
Culbertson has recently sent a package to the 1st of the 129th Field Artillery out of Chillicothe, Mo. Sgt. Maj. Phillip Butler and Cpl. Tony Pitala from North Kansas City have both received cigars from the Outlaws.
The local troops of the Missouri National Guard are proud to participate in an event with such a supportive company.
"The thing I like most about the Outlaw Cigar Company is that they support out troops and boost morale," explained Staff Sgt. Terry Turner. "That's the main reason, they support local troops."
Be sure to check out the Missouri National Guard Soldiers at the next "Bad to the Bone" party on July 14, and see what they bring out next. £
