"I've probably burned over 10,000 American Flags in the last 20 years."
I said to a group of stunned surfers. "It's true. That's what we do. Every single Flag Day on June 14th. We take all of the ripped and tattered flags from the community, and we have a somber service where we actually burn American Flags." They stood there in their wetsuits, looking at me and expecting some kind of a sick joke punchline. "I had no idea" one of them finally said.
Truth be told, neither did I until I got involved with the local vets Post some 30 plus years ago. In fact, I remember saying to the then Commander Joe Kutt,
"I thought we were against that. Burning Flags." Turns out we are as far as protesters burning the Flag as we can possibly get. But when flags become ripped and torn, and are no longer usable, people drop them off to all the Veteran's organizations across the country, and the members perform a flag burning ceremony. Yup. It's true.
That's me on the right in the white shirt conducting the ceremony at the HFD
back in 2009. As Commander for 13 years, I had to run these ceremonies behind the Hampton Fire Department. I'll admit, I never really felt comfortable burning Flags. Even though I knew it was the right thing to do. And for the record, it's done in an honorable and respectful manner.
The late Jerry Dignam placing a flag on the fire under the watchful eye of a Hampton Firefighter. I missed this year's service due to the large surf we were experiencing. But I know that Post 35 conducted the ceremony with the New Commander and Post officers.
So while my fellow vets were burning flags, I was shooting the good ones on the beaches in New Hampshire. It was a memorable Flag Day.
So today is Father's Day. Happy Father's day to all the dads out there. Past, Present, and Future. My own father has been gone for 19 years. now. It's hard to believe it's been that long. This is a selfie he took of himself some 50 years ago in 1969. He and my mother were driving to South Carolina to Parris Island to see me graduate from Marine Corps Boot Camp. Classic Gus.
There's much to be said for the saying "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." As most of you know, I am fond of the "Selfie". My dad was taking them as far back as the 1940's before, during, and after WWII. The pic below is my dad and I at Parris Island in 1969. I was able to meet with them the day before graduation. It was great seeing them. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago.
Happy Father's Day Dad. I really miss you.
Speaking of missing...I really miss these days. When our kids were this age. We had the best times when they were young. Going to the beach. Attending school events. And just having them be this young, so full of love and wonder. Both Cory and I thought these days would never end. But they did. And they will continue to fade with each passing year.
But that's what grandchildren are for. Our grandkids are very close to the age our own kids were in this photo.
Having grandkids is like going back in time. It's hard to believe that Noelle (in the glasses) is that little girl in the photo above this one. And I hope I'm around in the future to be able to say the same for our grandkids one day.
Grampy with Gabby and Noelle. God we miss him. It's been 14 years since he left us. Our kids loved him. And I'm sure the grandkids would have loved him too. One of these days in the near future, I'm going to dig up the old videos I have of him and put something together. It's time to do that for so many reasons. I have hundreds of movies and videos of our lives.
Thank God we still have Grandpa. Our kids and our grandkids love him.
John is young enough to be my slightly older brother. And I see many many years in the future with our extended family, sharing all the love and laughter that a family is supposed to expereince.
Our lives are truly blessed with John in our lives.
Last Sunday Cory and I attended the Memorial Tribute Concert for my friend Asa Brebner. It dawned on me a few days ago, that his twin boys will be without their daddy this Father's day. And that caused my heart to break all over again. Life is precious. Live and Love each day, like it was the last day on earth. Well, maybe not that drastic. But you get what I'm saying. Enjoy all that is around you. You just never know when it will be gone. RIP Asa.
*There's a gallery of photos that I shot of the concert down in the gallery section. Remember you iphone users DON'T NEED Flash to look at the galleries going forward. Homey done fixed that problem.
OKay what better day than today to launch this new Movie Promo.
(Click on the image to see a larger version)
So while I was making the GRANITE GIRLS video I came up with this project and concept. It's never been done before. As hard as that seems to be. I'm onto yet another groundbreaking Surf Movie concept. This will be an overview of Surfer dads and their sons. It's a work in progress and I'm hoping to get as many dads and their sons as possible in this movie.
Starting with a Group Photo scheduled for JULY 1st, 2019 at 6:00PM at 10th Street. I'm hoping to get as many fathers and sons together for a group photo that will serve as a promo poster as well as be in the movie. So help me spread the word. I'd really like to get as many of you as possible in this shot.
PASS THE WORD. ALL SURFER FATHERS AND SONS.
PLEASE
Be at at 10th Street at North Beach in Hampton, NH
JULY 1st, 2019 at 6:00PM for a GROUP Photo.
THANK YOU BOSTON BRUINS
I have many interests in my life. And I've had a few regrets along the way. But one thing I will never, ever, regret...is being a Sports Fan. I Love Boston Sports. Thank You Bruins for a hell of a post season ride. It was both exhilarating at times, as well as frustrating. And in the end, I wouldn't want it to be any other way. Goddammit I'm a SPORTS FAN. A BOSTON SPORTS FAN. Now onto the Sox and The Patriots.
OK Everyone here it is, just as I promised. The follow up to last week's Crazy Devil Altar that I found in the woods. I went back with my dog Patch and made this video. I'm calling it THE DEVIL DOGS vs The DEVIL. I shot and did the edit all in one afternoon on June 13th, 2019 of last week. Draw your own conclusions on what the hell is going on here. One thing's for sure, there's some wacky ass shit going on out there in those woods.
DEVIL DOGS vs The DEVIL 6-13-19 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
I certainly have my own opinion. I apologize for too many close ups on my old, tired, and weary mug but, I was a one man show today. Except of course my dog Patch who literally makes this video worth watching. If not for anything else, it is entertaining.
"Surfing, Fathers, and Love Heals All Wounds."
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This is one of those amazing Ed shots that seem to fly under the radar. He was such a talent. Humble to a fault. He was one of the best surf photographers that ever walked and shot on this coastline. Next month will be 5 years since his passing. Wow.
That's hard to believe. He's been gone five years next month.
I've made myself a promise that I would continue to post his pics here every single week for as long as I live and keep this blog going. Ed will always be a part of this blog. It's the very least I can do. 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
This is a new flyer about SHARKS On Cape Cod. I'm helping a few friends out who live and surf down there. This is all important information that every Cape Cod surfer should know. Whether
you live there or not. Sharks eat seals. There are just too many seals. It's obvious to me and to anyone else who's paying attention. Cull the seal population and reduce the shark population as well.
There was some good news last week when two separate pods of ORCAS were spotted out near the white shark population. Orcas will drive the white sharks out of there.
That's a good thing.
This is no joke. Something MUST Be Done about the Seal Population on the Cape. It's time to cull the Seals.
Seems that everyone's who's seen the portfolio of mine on ESM (Eastern Surf Magazine) has had positive things to say. Richard "Mez" Meseroll contacted me via email back in November to do a piece on me that has never been done before on their ESM site. Using a READY MAG format, he wanted the Best of Ralph's Pic. And while he couldn't possibly use eveything thing I sent him, he did manage to put up some 50 pics of mine, plus two videos.
And I was truly humbled by his intro. He said some nice things about me.
The videos are down in the video section. If you havent seen them you really should. One is called THIS HAPPENED it's a short 4 minute edit of the Best O fthe Best from the last 5 years. I used my nephew QWILL's music as a soundtrack. And the other video is the GRANITE GIRL'S Trailer. And once again, I used QWILL's soundtrack in that trailer.
You really should check out the new EASTERN SURF Magazine piece. Just click on the image above and you will be directed to ESM's piece on me.
My son Max and his friends finally got their SURFING IN ICELAND movie they all made back in 2016 up and online.
It's a film by Kris Roller and it's on YOUTUBE .
Watch the whole movie in the Video section or just click on this image above to watch it on YouTube. The project was three years in the making. A handful of local surfers including Kody Grondin, Tom Hay, James McGraghan, and Max Fatello headed off to Iceland in 2016 and besides having an eye opening adventure, they were able to sample some of the potential surf up there.
The trailer is down in the video section, and I must say that some of the videography is stunning. Right now it's a YouTube release. It was released on Friday June 7th, 2019. Watch the Movie. I think you'll like it. I know we did.
I'm a BIG CARS fan. Love the band. So stoked to see this show and tribute.
This my friends is a MUST SEE SHOW!
The DVD's are available at all the local surf shops. Or by
sending me an email. ralph@adlantic.com or send a check for $20.00 made out to ADLANTIC and send it here:
ADLANTIC
c/o OC Studio Suites
703 Ocean Blvd Suite C-4
Hampton, NH 03842
Or RENT or BUY it Online. 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.
GRANITE GIRLS and The RIVER WOMEN from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
NOW AVAILABLE on VIMEO ON DEMAND.
On June 22nd and 23rd, PATAGONIA Will Be REPAIRING Wetsuits. As in ALL Wetsuits. As long as they are Dry Bring them into CINNAMON RAINBOWS Surf Shop.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
Well with this being father's day and all, I had to go and find a pic of Little KSM with his mom and dad. You know, one would think I'd be getting used to this by now. Yet, I along with everyone else, am completly blown away. Week after week we find these new KSM discoveries. I had no idea he was raised by Bigfoot or Sasquatch. It's mind boggling madness I tell ya. Crazy ass shit.
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 "HOW TO FIND BIGFOOT Books"
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY FLAG Day June 14th, 2019!
CONGRATS NNE Surf Team at the ESA Northeast regionals!
RIP Curt Hammer
RIP Leon Redbone
RIP Dr John
GET WELL Terence Kirby!
FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols
by calling his cell (603) 944-2418
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 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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