U.S. troops in Iraq to get cigar gifts

PHOENIX, April 9 (UPI) -- The owner of Fumar Cigars in Phoenix says he has collected 6,000 cigars to deliver to U.S. troops serving in Iraq.

David Haddad said he packed his collected cigars into a package for the overseas troops and is personally traveling to Iraq to present his gift as "a little bit of hospitality," The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday.

"It's an honor to the heroes … because they do what they do (in war) to make it possible so that I get to do what I do ... My company offers ... cigars to resorts all over the world," Haddad said Wednesday. "It's to bring a little bit of hospitality to the troops."

Fumar Cigars Director of Operations Bradley Meduna said the cigar package has an estimated value of nearly $30,000.

Haddad left Wednesday to travel with the USO and said he expects to return to Phoenix on April 18.

He told the Republic the cigars, donated by 50 businesses and individuals, will be the stars of a scheduled cigar party in Iraq.

"It will be the only cigar party ever done in a war zone," Haddad said.