The TEMPORARY Home at 62 Lafayette Rd in North Hampton, NH Tel. (603) 929-7467

THE HARBOUR RAPIER 1967-2023 MY REFLECTIONS ON MEMORIAL DAY.
THE FRANK E. EVANS STORY.
GIRLS ON CURLS VIDEO



YESTERDAY AND TODAY. THE HARBOUR RAPIER. 1967-2023

The Harbour Rapier. I bought the original in 1967, (8'3") and I bought the new one last week (9'4"), from CINNAMON RAINBOWS. I can't tell you how many times I would speak to the "Sea Nymph" logo/decal when I was out surfing in 67-68. Then from 1969-1971 I was in the Marines and never got to surf much, and by the time I came home, we were all riding shortboards.*I wrote all about the day I bought the Harbour Rapier in a previous Blog Post. That day was one for the ages. I kept that board for a number of reasons.

There was a resurgence of my Rapier within the local Hampton crew in the late 70's whenever the surf got small. And that lasted well into the early 80's. My nephew Jesse rode his first wave on the Rapier in 1983. And my old dog "Caley" rode that same board in 1984. It now hangs on my wall in my office. But this new one? I'll be riding some fun waves on her this summer. It's going to be like, going back in time. Oh to be young again

MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023.

Hampton Beach-Hampton Falls-North Hampton-High Street Cemetery

There are times in life, when things, and moments hit you, when you least expect it. Monday May 29th, 2023 on Memorial Day, was one of those times. Now for the record, this year was my 54th year as a Veteran, and more specifically, a Vietnam veteran. I have been to over 50 plus years of attending, or being directly involved in, Memorial Day services. I’ve heard my share of speeches over the years. I have both given Memorial Day speeches, or have heard first hand, dozens of Memorial Day speeches.

In short, I have heard and witnessed them all. Or so, I thought.



(Above) Commander Berk Bennett POST 35 and HPD Chief Alex Reno

American Legion POST 35 Commander Berk Bennett gave the opening address speech that stopped me dead in my tracks. Apparently this year 2023, is the 50th anniversary of the end of combat operations in Vietnam. March 1973 was the end of all combat operations in Vietnam. Most of us Nam vets know this, but we never acknowledge it. Like most Vietnam vets, we’d just as soon as forget it, than bring it up. But Commander Bennett did something that no other speaker has ever done before.

He spoke about the many Vietnam vet members of Hampton’s Post 35. And he did it in such a way, that he never mentioned a single name. In other words, he painted this visual collage of the many men and women of Post 35 without actually saying their names, but we all knew who he was talking about.
It was an emotional delivery of respect and honor, of his fellow veterans that had most of us in attendance, on the verge of tears. We knew exactly who he was talking about.

Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys. He was a dear friend of mine.

When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers. Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.

ED'S CORNER June 4th, 2023



This pic was shot in May of 2010 during the ESA NERSC surfing event at the Wall. The surfer is Ana Barend. Hands down one of the most versatile women surfers on the East Coast. Ed and I would shoot the local surf contests and we would shoot the bigger ESA events when they were hosted by the local ESA-NNE district.

Ana has some of the best waves and surfing in my 2018 GRANITE GIRLS movie. She is an exceptional surfer. Same with her husband Chuck. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

The GIRLS ON CURLS Project Wrapped up on Thursday June 1st, 2023 at Derryfield HS in Manchester.

And then, it was over. The month long project with Alyssa Shula, Christine Nadeau, Ava Young, and Elena Moore came to an end last Thursday June 1st 2023. The girls put together a presentation on their Senior Project, and I put together a 15 minute video highlighting their surf journey. They received some really positive feedback and their presentation went over well. The video is posted above. It's short enough to view and listen to (QWILL is the soundtrack). Some of my friends were questioning me as to why I would get involved with something like this with me being so damn busy. Well, how soon we forget that I put out the ONLY surf movie of the women surfers in Northern New England in 2018 GRANITE GIRLS. So it was a easy decision for me to help these young women out.

Besides, I was not alone. I had help from Erica Nardone and Kevin Grondin. Not to mention that Dave Cropper and CINNAMON RAINBOWS were a huge help. The month really flew by. And I was impressed with them all. Before it was over, they could all paddle out on their own. Sit on their boards and spin around to paddle for a wave (the best wave) and actually pop up to their feet and angle down the face of the wave. In other words, they were not going straight anymore, they were paralleling down the faces of the waves. In short, they were surfing. So, Mission accomplished.

Will they continue to surf now that they are headed off to college? Who knows? But I do know what it was like for most of us, once we caught a wave and actually surfed it. Case in point? This is my 60th year surfing. So yeah, they'll be back out there.

*I posted the last gallery of their project down in the photo section.

*Watch the video I posted at the top of this page.

He honored and spoke of them all. From those who served in the many jobs in the Air Force, to the men who served on ships off the coast of Vietnam in the NAVY. To the NAVY nurses who served in the hospitals, and to the men who flew helicopters and cargo planes in both the ARMY and the AIR FORCE. He spoke of the men who built the roads in South Vietnam under the watchful eyes of the enemy. And he spoke of the men who worked around the clock providing artillery support for the Marines and Army infantry.

And then he spoke of the GRUNTS.

This really hit home with me, having been a GRUNT. He spoke of what it was like for them (us). He mentioned how one of the GRUNTS went back to Vietnam during the last 5 years, to look for a missing Grunt, who’s body was never recovered. And he mentioned how one Marine GRUNT officer had one of the marines in his platoon, give his life after jumping on a live grenade, to save the lives of his fellow Marines. That young Marine received the MEDAL OF HONOR. Commander Bennett said “I can tell you, that this Marine, thinks about that young Marine, every single day of his life”. We all knew who he was talking about. And so did those in attendance who were close to that Marine officer.

Commander Bennett reminded everyone that 58,220 Americans were killed in Vietnam. 5 were from Hampton, NH and 1 from North Hampton, NH.

As Commander Bennett was telling these true stories about the men and women of POST 35 here in Hampton, I swear, you could hear a pin drop in that large crowd on the beach, and again at the High Street Cemetery. It was one of the most powerful speeches I have ever heard. And if that wasn’t emotional enough, our guest speaker came out, and literally “Hit one out of the park” with his incredible speech.

HPD Chief Alex Reno gave an incredible speech on the heels of CDR Bennett’s Speech. Chief Master Sgt. Reno USAF came out and spoke with conviction and passion. His opening line…”It was April, and the air temperatures were well above 100 degrees and exponentially hotter on the airfield on a base in Southwest Asia. An alert came out that there was an inbound aircraft carrying the remains of American military members, coming from the various parts of responsibility, destined to go home to their families.” That opening line set the tone of a speech that Chief Reno would give of how men like Reno would enter these open cargo aircrafts carrying the remains of American service members, in these “transfer cases” draped with American Flags.

We have all seen those dramatic photos of caskets with flags draped over them, as they go through the long process before they touch down on US soil again. Chief Reno spoke of how many of the families of these lost heroes, had not yet been notified of their loved ones being KIA (Killed in action). There was a movie made in 2009, starring Kevin Bacon, as a Marine officer escorting a Marine home from the war in 2009. It was called TAKING CHANCE. If you haven’t seen this film, I strongly suggest that you do. It reminded me of Chief Reno’s speech. Having known Chief Reno since he was SRO officer at HAJH here in Hampton, NH I remember when he was first deployed to the GWOT theater. His wife Kimberly was always involved in the Memorial Day assemblies, and I watched them both raise a family here on the seacoast, as Alex climbed the ranks at HPD.

I admit, I never knew what Alex did overseas in GWOT. But after Monday?

I now know, that he was with a group of Americans who saw first hand, what this day, Memorial Day, is all about. And for those who ventured out to Hampton Beach, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, and watched the Parade in Hampton, and stayed around long enough to hear these two incredible speeches about sacrifice and honor, you too now know of these local heroic stories that honor the fallen, and more importantly, how it’s so important that we remember. Remembering who, and what this day is truly all about.

Those, that have died fighting, in our nation’s wars.

As the Past Commander of Post 35, I was never more proud of Commander Bennett, and Chief Reno, as I was on this day. And it was an honor, and a privilege, to bear witness to these two great speeches, on this most somber of all holidays. Thank you both gentlemen. You have restored our faith in not only our community, but indeed, to our country.

Two young NAVY sailors from New Hampshire lost their lives in the collision of the USS Frank E. Evans and the HMAS Melbourne on June 3rd, 1969 off the coast of Vietnam. 74 sailors lost their lives that night. Only one body was recovered. This is an incredible true story. I spoke with one of the survivors at the beach yesterday morning Terry Vejr. He told me "It was just surreal." Their ship was literally cut in half. He said that he and the other survivors, the next morning, just sat on the deck of the aircraft carrier looking out at the stern of their ship that hadn't gone down right away. They couldn't grasp what they were all looking at. The tremendous loss they all felt of their fallen shipmates.



Once again, AMERICAN LEGION Post 35 was there to honor and remember these two brave souls from New Hampshire in a moving ceremony conducted by Post 35 Commander Berk Bennett. The family members were so very grateful to finally have their loved ones remembered in such a poignant and touching ceremony. *See the photo gallery down in the photo section.

The NEW HAMPSHIRE SURF DOCUMENTARY.
A documentary that has been 59 years in the making. Hear from Local Legends Surfers from all over New England talk about New Hampshire. Coming the Summer of 2023

“SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

How many of you guessed that Ole Khaliddy had something to do with tripping 46 this week? I bet quite a few of you. Not surprising, The Sheik somehow managed to put himself in the direct path of POTUS and cause him to go tumbling down. When are those guards at GITMO going to smarten up and keep a closer eye on the Sheik. You know damn well he's up to no good every single week. But then again, we wouldn't have these weekly chuckles without him. Damn you Khaliddy.



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 NON SKID pads at Home Depot this week.

GET WELL SOON Bruce Aquizap US NAVY Vietnam Vet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brylee Welch May 22nd, 2023!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
HEAL Quickly Gary Ritchie with your shoulder surgery!
GREAT NEWS on Mike Keefe's latest med report!
Finally, I'm calling this a special request.
LOCAL SURFER/MUSICIAN PETE KOWALSKI NEEDS A KIDNEY. A TYPE A KIDNEY. PLEASE if you know anyone with a Type A Kidney please contact me at ralph@adlantic.com


SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 19 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. Surfing Is Supposed to be Fun.

Ralph

SAME WAVE. SAME SURFER. SAME DAY. DIFFERENT PHOTOGS.
I know I have run the Baytoff pic quite a few times over the last 20 years. But I've never run the Robin Rowell video frame grab before. Robin was shooting movies that day while Baytoff was shooting stills. I thought this was interesting to see the differences of both pics. Click on the image to see the larger version. Photos by Michael Baytoff and Robin Rowell.
*Click on the photo above to see a larger image

I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.

I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.

Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal. Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.

All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.

Today- THE HARBOUR RAPIER 1967
Photos by RALPH and other photographers



(Above) That's the late Mike Normand (left) and me standing on the sidewalk at Lynn Beach in 1968. Photo by Gus Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.

(Above) December 1968. Me on the Rapier. Note I never wore hoods in the winter back in those days. I know pretty stupid. Cape Ann December 1968. Photo courtesy of RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The same spot only summer. Pretty small waves huh?
Summer 1968. Photo by Jeff Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) My Harbour Rapier and my Parkway wetsuit 1968. See that shadow? That's our old basketball hoop setup. My dad attached it to a tree. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.

Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art

Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.

(Above) Mike Normand or Peter Hilton owned this VW bus. It was always breaking down. Anyway, that's the Rapier on the roof. Summer 1968.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This was a year after I came home from the war. From left to right" Mike Normand (deceased), Peter Hilton (deceased), Jeff Crawford, myself, and Bruz Bowden. Summer 1971 We;;s Beach, ME. Photo by Clay Carkin.
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) 12 years later, I was still riding the Rapier.
Summer 1983. Photo by Heidi LaShay
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) That's my young nephew Jesse Joseph catching his very first wave on the Rapier. That's me standing there after shoving him into a wave. That's Duffy McCarthy sitting next to me, and Kevin Grondin on the far right.
Summer 1983. Photo by Heidi LaShay
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Jesse Joseph's FIRST Summer 1983. Photo by Heidi LaShay
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.

Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

(Above) As long as I shall live, I'll never forget Caley surfing on the Rapier.
Summer, 1984. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY. May 29th, 2023.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Post 35 Rifle Squad. Hampton Beach, NH
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page

The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA

(Above) Commander Berk Bennett giving the opening speech.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Commander Bennett saluting guest speaker Chief Alex Reno.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno giving his speech.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The art of Donna Baldassari

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

(Above) Captain Suzanne Tetreault giving the Benediction.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The Kutt clan. MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Hampton Falls service. MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The local Hampton Falls veterans. MEMORIAL DAY
Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The American Legion Post 35 of the Hamptons does 4 services every single Memorial Day. MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.

ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.

(Above) We dedicated this monument on 11-11-11.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno giving his speech in Hampton Falls. MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno giving his speech at the High Street Cemetery in Hampton. MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Chief Alex Reno's wife Kimberly conducting the HAJ chorus.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) My family has been coming to every Memorial Day since the 90's.
MEMORIAL DAY Monday May 29th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- GIRLS ON CURLS LAST DAY. MAY 31st, 2023
Photos by RALPH



(Above) The project came to an end last week. May 31st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography

"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.

Everybody has a story to tell

(Above) That's Ava Young catching one of her last waves. May 31st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The girls, waiting for waves. May 31st, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The MARINE MEMORIAL REDEDICATION
June 3rd, 2023. Photos by RALPH




(Above) To know her is to love and respect her. The Lady Of The Sea.
Saturday June 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) American Legion Post 35 Commander Berk Bennett
Saturday June 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The sister of one of the sailors lost at sea. She gave a heartfelt speech in the wind, rain, and cold. We all felt her sadness and appreciation.
Saturday June 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The choir braved the cold weather and sang their hearts out.
Saturday June 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Their names are now etched in stone forever.
Ronald A. Thibodeau USN and Gary J. Vigue USN.
Saturday June 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) American Legion Post 35 Commander Berk Bennett posing with the family and loved ones of the two fallen sailors. Well done Commander Bennett. Well done sir. Saturday June 3rd, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.

Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics.

My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company

(Above) Phil Beauchesne riding his old Harbour Rapier in California in the 90's. *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The ONLY WWII vet we saw at all four ceremonies. Frank Lupely. God Bless him. Photo by Martha Lardent
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

He's more than just a good photographer

(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 726 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK. Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the verdict that was rendered.
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome

This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.

Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music

I see waves all week

I'm picking Monday June 5th, 2023as the best of the week!

June 4th, 2023
" WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN."
If you look closely she's protecting her face and head. Although she's riding a soft top those things can still clobber you.

(ABOVE) Good job Christine. Protect your head at all costs.
Photo by Uncle Google.



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