diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 97dbdf3..68a86b4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ pip install geopy
 pip install maidenhead
 pip install beautifulsoup4
 pip install dadjokes
+pip install pickle
 ```
 
 dev enhancments if using visual studio
diff --git a/bbstools.py b/bbstools.py
index e13afbb..19fd0dd 100644
--- a/bbstools.py
+++ b/bbstools.py
@@ -2,17 +2,41 @@
 # K7MHI Kelly Keeton 2024
 
 from dadjokes import Dadjoke # pip install dadjokes
+import pickle # pip install pickle
+import os
+
 
 trap_list_bbs = ("bbslist", "bbspost", "bbsread", "bbsdelete", "bbshelp")
 
 # global message list, later we will use a database on disk
-bbs_messages = [[1, "Welcome to meshBBS", "Welcome to the BBS, please post a message!"]]
+bbs_messages = []
+
 
 def tell_joke():
     # tell a dad joke, does it need an explanationn :)
     dadjoke = Dadjoke()
     return dadjoke.joke
 
+def load_bbsdb():
+    global bbs_messages
+    # load the bbs messages from the database file
+    if not os.path.exists('bbsdb.pkl'):
+        # if not, create it
+        bbs_messages = [[1, "Welcome to meshBBS", "Welcome to the BBS, please post a message!"]]
+        print ("\nSystem: Creating new bbsdb.pkl")
+        with open('bbsdb.pkl', 'wb') as f:
+            pickle.dump(bbs_messages, f)
+    else:
+        with open('bbsdb.pkl', 'rb') as f:
+            bbs_messages = pickle.load(f)
+
+def save_bbsdb():
+    global bbs_messages
+    # save the bbs messages to the database file
+    print ("System: Saving bbsdb.pkl\n")
+    with open('bbsdb.pkl', 'wb') as f:
+        pickle.dump(bbs_messages, f)
+
 def bbs_help():
     # help message
     return "BBS Commands:\n'bbslist'\n'bbspost $subject #message'\n'bbsread #'\n'bbsdelete #'"
@@ -57,3 +81,7 @@ def bbs_read_message(messageID = 0):
     else:
         return "Please specify a message number to read."
 
+
+#initialize the bbsdb
+load_bbsdb()
+
diff --git a/mesh_bot.py b/mesh_bot.py
index af8b22e..a0e4498 100644
--- a/mesh_bot.py
+++ b/mesh_bot.py
@@ -348,6 +348,11 @@ def send_message(message, ch, nodeid):
 def exit_handler(signum, frame):
     print("\nSystem: Closing Autoresponder")
     interface.close()
+    print("System: Interface Closed")
+    print("Saving BBS Messages")
+    save_bbsdb()
+    print("System: BBS Messages Saved")
+    print("System: Exiting")
     exit (0)
 
 print ("\nMeshtastic Autoresponder MESH Bot CTL+C to exit\n")
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 3b2eb90..ca79011 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -8,4 +8,5 @@ maidenhead
 beautifulsoup4
 dadjokes
 mock
-unittest
\ No newline at end of file
+unittest
+pickle
\ No newline at end of file