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• Heroes Gather at Big Smoke  

The doors of Cigar Aficionado's New York Big Smoke opened early at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. By special invitation of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Cigar Aficionado editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken, some 800 New York City firefighters, police officers and Port Authority police gathered for an hour of complimentary cigars and camaraderie. These New York heroes -- many of them in uniform -- took to the Big Smoke floor for a well-deserved break from work and a hearty thank you from the mayor, Cigar Aficionado magazine and many of the world's leading cigar manufacturers.

Giuliani and Shanken thanked the attendees for their tireless work since the attacks on New York City on September 11. Many of the firefighters, police and Port Authority police had been toiling at the still burning ruins of the World Trade Center, some of them as recently as that day. . .

A who's who of cigar executives were in attendance, gladly handing out their products to New York's finest and bravest. . .

Giuliani approached the mike as the room applauded. "Thank you to Cigar Aficionado magazine and to all the cigar manufacturers that are here," he said. The police and fire department "serve us with such exceptional skill and bravery. I'm so glad there's this recognition for them. And if you like cigars --" with this, the cigar loving mayor took a long, dramatic puff on his cigar as flashbulbs popped and news cameras rolled -- "there are some great ones here. Enjoy them."

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