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November 9th, 2014 The RUN is 35 out of 36 Weeks Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was Chest to head high surf on Sunday November 2nd, and waist high on Friday November 7th, 2014. |
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 The GOP takes back the Senate and the thanking of Veterans from every war and time of peace. I can remember it like it was yesterday. The many years I would call my father on Veterans Day to thank him. His initial reaction was so typical of my dad. "Thank me for what?" He'd say with total and complete honesty. "You know dad, saving the world. You guys saved the world." I'm sure he thought about the many thousands of WWII vets who never made it back. More than likely thinking, it was those Americans who should be thanked. Not him. But I was undaunted in my annual calls. I thanked him each V-day. It wasn't until the end of his life that he started to thank me as well. The first time he thanked me it caught me off guard. I called him to thank him one V-Day in the late 90's when he said: "Ralph, I want to thank you for your service too. I know things were not good for you Vietnam vets, and you were not treated with the respect that you all deserve. I just want you to know, that I'm proud of you and your service." Well you know I did all I could not to burst out in tears on the phone. I tried to remain stoic as I hung up the phone. But I'll never forget that call. My dad and his brothers all served in the Military during WWII and the Korean War.  This is a rare photo of my late father and my late uncles. The three standing are" My Uncle Angelo USA (Bronze Star with a"V" device for bravery in Korea in 1951), my Uncle Ralph (NAVY SEABEE in the South Pacific), my dad Gus (NAVY SEABEE South Pacific). And my uncle Bruno far right seated. He was on board the USS San Jacinto along with George Bush Sr. They are all gone now. Four brothers. But I can still hear their voices. They were members of VFW Post 545 in Beverly, MA. A classic old building in Beverly that holds many memories for my family. The building is still there but it is no longer a VFW. I can remember many WWI vets hanging around that Post. That's The First World War. That war was fought by the Americans in 1917 to 1919. It was called "The War To End All Wars!" Guess all of America's future enemies missed that memo. Because the wars that followed were even more horrific.  This is a photo of my dad in the Philippines in 1944. He's second from the right. Holding a captured Japanese flag. Must of been such an eye opener for guys like my father to be involved in something so big and as significant as WWII.  This is my kid's Grandpa. John was a fighter pilot and a Lt Col in the USAF. He flew some very fast planes in the Middle east. We all just love him to death.  My late father-in-law and "Grampy" to my kids, served in the US ARMY's 101st Airborne and then went on to serve his country in the intelligence forces. He served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Beirut, and many other hot spots in the middle east. He passed way before his time in 2005. He was a true American Hero.  My brother in law Michael Baldarssari served in the US Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He's a great guy and I never mention him in my annual V-Day blog. I am now though. This is an older photo of Michael and my sister Donna. It was taken in the 80's at my late parents house.  Them there's my longtime friend Jay Hammer. Pictured here in 1974 with his then popular HAMMER Skateboards. Shortly after this time period he joined the US ARMY and rose to the rank of Colonel. He served all over the globe and did a tour in IRAQ. He was home recently and got to surf every swell during his stay. He retired from the Army a couple of years ago. He lives in Hawaii with his wife and dogs and comes home once or twice a year.  Then there's Jerry who comes to North Beach each year during our HIT THE BEACH day. He lost both arms in the war but claims he's now a "Surfing Fool!" Hard not to thank guys like him for his service. Do yourselves a big favor and thank every vet you know on Veterans Day. It's the one day you thank all the living Veterans who served our country. And it makes no difference what branch or the service they served in, or if they were in combat. They served our country so we can do what we all love. Surf. Don't forget that. "Surfing Heals All War Wounds" |
Portions of the eventual DVD proceeds will go to the
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Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011. A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days. |
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Yesterday- Ed O'Connell Vietnam 1968. (Below) Ed O'Connell (on the right) was a combat medic. He saved so many young grunts who were wounded in battle in Vietnam. But having known Ed as a surf photographer, he never would of said a word about what he did. Unless you were a veteran or were really close to him. He was a gentle, humble man. And I still miss him every single day. And each time the surf comes up I still find myself reaching for the phone to see where he will be shooting. Thinking of you this Veterans Day Ed. Photo courtesy of Ed O'Connell |
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 All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK *Unless otherwise noted. |
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Today-More from The First November Swells. November 2nd and 7th, 2014. Photos by RALPH  (Above) This scene caught my eye late Friday afternoon. I must know this grom. Regardless, this is a classic modern scene. Surfer's have ridden their bikes to the beach for decades. However, the advent of the I-pad is something new. That and the fact that it was biting cold this day makes this shot special. These are surf memories in the making. November 7th, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery  (Above) From groms to older local surfers hanging at the wall in November talking surf, politics, and whatever else comes up. Anthony and Jacko. November 7th, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) The recent accolades surrounding Perry Reynold's incredible surfing should be also directed at his father. Johnny Reynolds can still surf and he was the main force in getting Perry into surfing. Johnny last week. November 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
 (Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had a single regret. They are the BEST!! *Click on the Ad above to see more! |
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 (Above) Not sure who this is. Can you tell? One thing's for sure he's impacted in that wet lip. November 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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Today- Late in the Day November 2nd, 2014. |
    
If you know a surfer who may be struggling with any kind of substance abuse. Click here. They can help. *Click above to save a surfer from substance abuse. |
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Today- The CAPE NH swell as seen through the lens of Michelle Daniels. October 24th, 2014. Photos by Michell Daniels  (Above) This is Matt Colby barely escaping the dredging lip. October 24th, 2014. Photo by Michelle Daniels *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 Drop by and say hello and get the BEST Wrap in town!! |
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 (Above) Still in one piece Kyle Linseman counts his blessings. October 24th, 2014. Photo by Michelle Daniels *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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THE KYLE LINSEMAN SEQUENCE. OCTOBER 24th, 2014. Photos By Michelle Daniels (Above) At first glance this looks like a nice lined up wave. Kyle about to find out how lined up it really was. October 24th, 2014. Photo by Michelle Daniels *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) Seabirds are the coolest. November 5th, 2014. Photo by Martha Lardent *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery  (Above) One beautiful starfish. November 5th, 2014. Photo by Martha Lardent *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) Like I said...there's nothing like a stroll on a tropical beach. November 5th, 2014. Photo by Martha Lardent *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) This is one big ass wave. Hurricane Marie and the SUP. Summer-Fall 2014. Photo by The Phantom *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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