Last Saturday I got this email from a close friend of mine. LtCol Phil Bean.
Marine,
You, Hollywood just The way U appeared (he's referring to my new long hair/goatee look ever since COVID came to town)
This week are ordered:
Mission: Presentation of National Ensign to Marine Harry Bobolas
Execution: Sunday. 5 July 20 0930
Grid: Galley Hatch
Logistics: VIDEOGRAPHY BY ADLANTIC
CONFIRM
SEMPER FIDELIS
OUT
It's funny because back in the day (over 50 years ago) I had little or no contact with Marine Colonels. And for good reason. I was a nobody in the Corps. But since I moved to Hampton many moons ago I've become close friends with a handful of them. And I'm not gonna lie, as a lowly Grunt enlisted man in the Corps ( I was only a L/Cpl) when a Lt Colonel speaks, you listen. And as you can read between the lines, this is basically a direct order from the brass. He's not asking. He's ordering.
But when I read that it was for Harry
Bobolas? I was all in. 100 percent.
I've known Harry since 1971. That's the first time I ate at the Galley Hatch Restaurant. Though I'm not sure if they had changed the name from the Mustard Pot, to the Galley Hatch
back then. I do know that my late best friend Joe Somogyi and I would always go there after surfing, to order our favorite meal. Aquarian Pizza and Indian Pudding. Though I suppose in today's insane politically correct world, it would have to be called "Native American Pudding." Am I right people? Damn straight I am.
Regardless of what you called the pudding it was our favorite. They no longer serve Indian Pudding and the Aquarian Pizza came and went a few times over the years. It is still one of my favorites. But the one consistent thing over the last 50 years has been this man. Harry Bobolas. Harry is the epitome of what a true gentlemen
should aspire to become.
A soft spoken
man with a smile on his face, everyone loves Harry.
I know a little about Harry. First and foremost he is a Marine. He served in Vietnam from the end of 1967 and right through the TET Offensive in January and February of 1968. He came home in 1969 and got out as a Corporal. Anyone who knows anything about TET will tell you, it was the absolute
worse time to be in country (Nam). Harry made it back.
He convinced owner Michael Tinios to hire him. When Michael asked him if he knew anything about the restaurant business Harry told him "I can make a Tuna fish sandwich." But when Michael asked Harry if his last name "Bobolas" was Greek Harry said it was. "Great when can you start." Michael answered and so began the long 50 year career with the Tinios family and the Galley Hatch family, and the community of Hampton.
After many years the original owners Michael and Kay Tinios passed away and son John took over the business.
It was a family oriented business since day one and Harry was part of that family.
This is John Tinios speaking to the crowd of Harry fans last Sunday July 5th, 2020 outside in the parking lot. John and theTinios family and the Galley Hatch presented Harry with the honor of having a flag and monument with his name engraved on it. It was really quite emotional. As one can imagine. Serving 50 years in one business is quite an achievement.
And this is Phil Bean. Colonel Bean USMC. He is a pillar in our community and is forever bestowing accolades on everyone but himself. I'm here to let you know that he's the man behind the scenes at all of our Marine Corps Birthday bashes at the Galley Hatch. He's there at every Memorial Day service and our Global War on Terrorism Observance. He's there at every town function and observance, and he would literally give you the shirt off his back. He once gave me his ruck sack after I was casually mentioning how long it's been since I'd even seen one. He was hiking/running on the beach when he stopped and gave it to me. He's always jogging. Always riding his bike. Always doing something for someone else.
And this time it was for Harry.
My wife and I had our wedding reception at the Galley hatch in October of 1987. We will have been married for 33 years this coming October 10th. And we always go to the "Hatch" on our wedding anniversary, and more times than not, Harry is there to greet us and make us feel so welcome. And the thing about Harry is, he makes everyone feel like that.
He's everything that monument says he is. I was both proud and honored to be asked to document his Flag dedication. The video is down in the video section. It might be too long for most of you surfers, but for you local Hamptonites who know Harry, it's a special visual treat to a man we all love and respect.
Semper Fidelis Harry Bobolas. May God Bless you and your whole family.
I did not know Domenic Rosa. But I know his son Michael and his family. Mike Rosa is a local surfer who has been surfing here in NH as long as anyone I know. I just recently had a fun session surfing with Michael at a local break. We shared waves and laughs that day. It was a fun day surfing with friends.
So when Michael told me his father had just passed away, I was heartbroken for him. Losing a parent is hard. Losing anyone is hard. And it makes no difference how old they are when they pass, it's still a sad time for those who knew and loved the deceased. Domenic was 94 years old. And according to Michael, he loved the ocean and swimming in her cold waters. This photo below of Domenic and his wife Gerry was taken at Mike and Laura's wedding.
Domenic was also a WWII Veteran and a Korean War Veteran. And it goes without saying (for those of you who know me well enough) that I have the highest respect for the men and women who served our country. Especially those who served during WWII and the KOREAN War. Domenic ended up going to Harvard and went on to become an entrepreneur doing and creating so many businesses. He sounded like an incredible individual. He and his lovely wife Gerry had 9 children, 31 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.
What an incredible legacy to leave behind.
After reading his obituary in the Seacoastonline, I can see clearly how Michael became the man that he is today.
Seriously, his story is worth reading.
Here are the Rosa boys. Chase, Domenic, Skylar, and Michael. And below are the Rosa girls with Domenic and Gerry. That;s Laura (Mike's wife) and Isabella their daughter. I've met many families in my time. The Rosa family is one of the most tight knit, loving, and caring families that I know.
I love seeing these pics. A snapshot of life.
These next few pics are of Michael doing Yoga with his father.
This last photo has to make Michael feel good. I know very little about Yoga, but I know the human spirit when I see it. And this pic says all we need to know about the love between a father and a son.
Rest In Everlasting Peace Domenic Rosa. You've done well here on earth.
"Serving, Surfing, Yoga, and Love Heals All Wounds."
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This week's Ed's corner is my Matt Evans from 2008. This was during Ed's "Red" period where his watermark was always in red. It took me a while to talk him out of doing that. The reason being that a watermark should not be the most dominant thing in the photos. He finally agreed in 2009 and went to a more subtle look. Though there's nothing subtle about Matt's wave here.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
Now for Some Local, National and International News
There are times when I feel the need to remind you all that I am NOT a Republican and I am NOT a Democrat. I am a STRONG INDEPENDENT. Most of you know I'm not a fan of 45. However, I do see and recognize when he does the right thing. Like wearing a mask at WALTER REED Hospital. This is a good thing. Though I'm sure he initially resisted, he did cave and wear the mask. There are places to wear masks and places where they are not required. Clearly this was one of the places where a Mask was mandatory. These black masks look kind of cool.
The rally in Portsmouth on Saturday was canceled due to Tropical Storm Fay. I'm not sure where they got that data from, but Saturday on the seacoast was one of the best days of the summer. Yes it was windy, but it was sunny all day.
Case in point, here's Kevin Grondin entering the 72 degree water temps yesterday. That's pretty freaking warm my friends.
There are a few times each summer where we can basically surf with little to no rubber.
Max Fatello and a tee shirted swimmer share a warm water wave while the damage results of TS Fay were...I don't know. I don't think there was any. Wait, I did have three corn stalks bend and almost break with that strong south wind. So maybe there was concern over his hair getting mussed up? That's possible.
Last year at this time KING'S X came to Hampton, NH! What a great night that was. two of my three kids (who were raised on King's X) were there. We were all so hoping for a repeat show this summer, but the damn COVID messed us up.
Dug, Jerry, Noelle, Ty, and Max at WALLY's.
This day is always a bittersweet day for those of us who knew and loved Molly Rowlee. On July 12th, 2009 little 5 year old Molly Rowlee passed away less than six months after being diagnosed with large cell lymphoma. The most curable of cancers. It sent the surf community into a tailspin.
There were several
fund-raisers already in place when she was battling cancer. And after she passed, I pledged to surf every day for a year in her memory. This photo was taken on the day she passed two years earlier.
This pic popped up on my facebook feed today. Like I said, it's a bittersweet day for all of us who not only knew Molly but her family as well. There were many positives that came out of her passing. The incredible strength of her father Buck and mother Meighan were nothing short of inspirational to not only the kids and families who all knew them, but to total strangers from far and wide. Molly's name is synonymous with Surfing, Community, and Love.
It was a privilege and an honor to take on that year long undertaking. I knew Molly, and her family very well. As long as I shall live, I will never forget Molly. ever.
PLEASE HELP THESE GO FUND ME Post (Below).
Click on the image below to MAKE A DONATION. Greg Smith was one of the BEST surfers to ever come out of NH. If you can afford it, please make a donation. Thank you.
The ANNUAL RALPH'S PIC SURF ART BLOG is coming at the end of next month. Please help spread the word to all your surf artist friends. I can't wait to see what you all created over the last year. Read the poster for detailed instructions. CREATE ART!
Click on the image above to see a larger version.
ESM (Eastern Surf Magazine) using a READY MAG format did the Best of Ralph's Pic. And while they couldn't possibly use everything thing I've ever done, they did manage to put up some 50 pics of mine, plus two videos. And I was truly humbled by their intro. Mez said some nice things about me. CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE WHOLE Spread.
GRANITE GIRLS and The RIVER WOMEN from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
NOW AVAILABLE on VIMEO ON DEMAND. You have spoken and I have listened. You don't have a DVD player so I made it available Online. Watch it on your Smart TV, your computer, or your cellphone! I can't make this any easier my friends. Unless of course I hand deliver to each and every
one of you.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
Here's another wrong headed PSA (Public Service Announcement) from our boy KSM. Here he's trying to promote the wearing of masks at GITMO. Ordinarily, I would want to correct him. But seeing how they are all terrorists? I say let them wear these kinds of masks. What harm could be done with those evil sons of bitches? It's best we look the other way on this one.
And so my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).
*Note to self -must pick up a case of Halloween Masks
at Home Depot this week.
REST IN PEACE Domenic Rosa March 1, 1926- July 8, 2020.
Thank You For Your 50 Years of Service
Harry Bobolas!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
John "Grandpa" Rastl July 12th, 2020!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Todd Davidson July 4th, 2020!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eli Ciarmataro July 4th, 2020!
PLEASE Keep Mrs Berardini (Tony's 99 yr old mom) in your thoughts and prayers.
We'd all love to see her make it to her 100th Birthday in December. She's a fighter, but she could use some help. Your prayers can help. Thank you.
PLEASE Keep longtime NH Surfer Greg Smith in your Prayers.
Lenny Nichols & Colin Madden
Co-Directors, NNE District
Eastern Surfing Association
@esa.nne.surf
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 16 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo
from any of the weeks on RPOTW.
Remember
my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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