Most cigar smokers prefer to enjoy a wide variety of cigars and appreciate the differences and wide variety out there. It may have been a Cuban, I heard that they're available to the guys in Iraq. Here's a short list of good mild-medium cigars that I enjoy and you might want to try.

Romeo y Julieta
Avo Uzevian
Davidoff
Partagas
Ashton

Also, sorry for your buddy, and thanks alot for your service.