Warren White passed away on June 18th, 2019. Warren was a Marine who served during WWII. He was in the South Pacific. His last duty was with the occupation troops of mainland Japan. After we dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki the emporer had had enough. They waved the white flags and in doing so, saved millions of lives. Because my friend Warren would have been part of that massive invasion force that was slated to attack the mainland of Japan. If we had landed on the mainland, they were estimating over one million US deaths.
Let that number sink in for a few minutes. 1,000,000 US casualties.
Men like Warren above
might have been killed. Same with my dad who was on Okinawa when they dropped the bombs. The US had already lost over 400,000 killed in action. Add another million to that figure and the world as we know it today, would never be the same. But Hirohito came to his senses and surrendered. Thank God for that.
I've known Warren for over 30 years. The photo above was taken on Memorial Day 2018. He was too sick to make it this last Memorial Day. And we all missed him. I had driven Warren and a few other elderly vets in my JEEP Rubicon the last two years. I enjoy doing it. The older guys and gals just can't march anymore. So I'm more than happy to assist these great American heroes by offering them a lift and let the crowds see who the real heroes are.
This photo below is bittersweet for me. All Marines in this photo. Standing is the late George Masten a Marine SSGT who served in Korea and Vietnam where he was wounded in action. That's Warren on the left a SSGT who served in WWII, that's me in the middle a lowly L/CPL who served in Vietnam, and on the right, is the late Colonel Lessard who served in both Korea and Vietnam as a tank Commander. I look at this photo and my heart breaks to think that they are all gone from this earth.
I get it. I am not blind. I know that none of us are getting out of here alive. It's just that these guys were my real heroes, and now they're gone. I miss them.
And I know that it's only a matter of time before I join them again. But not today, not tomorrow, but someday off in the future, we will all be together again. And boy do we have some catching up to do.
This is a photo that John Carden shot back in 2008 at our annual GWOT Observance on September 11th. Warren looks pretty somber here. He was the Service Officer at our Post. It was his duty to check up on those who were sick and dying. And he did a hell of a job. We're all gonna miss him.
This is one of the last photos I ever took of Warren. Saluting during the National Anthem. He stood up with the use of a cane, stood at attention, and saluted along with everyone else. Semper Fi Warren. Rest easy my friend. Please say hello to George and the Colonel for me.
Now more from the darkside.
I heeded the advice of many of you and contacted the proper authorities. I called the Police who then called the Department of Fish & Game and we made plans to head out to the "Altar" on June 20th, 2019. They were going to call me. It was pouring rain on Thursday and they never called. So on Friday
June 21st, 2019 the "Summer Solstice"
I went out there with Patch again (of course) to do my own follow up.
It was raining again. But I was not deterred or concerned by rain.
I took a series of photos and even made another video.
There was a Strawberry moon that week and I took a few pics of it just
to add to the mystery I suppose. It all seemd par for the course.
Patch was being his typical German Shorthair self and was more interested in the wildlife out there. It's what he does. And honestly? He's the best at his game. That dog has a nose like radar. Satan doesn't stand a chance against that nose. So here's the follow up video I shot.
DEVIL DOGS vs The DEVIL Part II The Summer Solstice 6-21-19 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
Part II of the DEVIL DOGS vs The DEVIL. The SHOCKING END of this video raises more questions than answers. I suggest you pay close attention to the dialogue at the end, and see if you pick up on what is painfully obvious to me. Once again, Patch steals the show. The world is a strange and yet beautiful place. But let's face it, there's some strange individuals out there. This is not over. There's something going on. And the two individuals I encountered are just not coming clean on this whole deal. Check it out and decide for yourselves. Is this what they say it is? Or is something more sinister.
Now back to the Sunnyside of Life.
On Mother's Day I bought Cory a beautiful blue leather jacket. On Father's Day she returned the favor and bought me this blue suit. I am motivated to play out in this suit. It's got Rocking Blues all over it. Of course having Cory on my arm makes everything look better.
Still, I can't decide which of my two strats looks better with this new Blue Suit. The Black Strat or the Maui Blue? What say you my friends?
I know which one I like to play more, but for the promo shot I need to pick one. So far it's been mostly the Maui Blue getting the most votes. There's no rush.
Last night we attended the premiere book signing of Joe Milliken's new book about Ben Orr and The CARS. It was great. Joe did a really good job. And when I say we, I'm talking Cory and I with David Robinson
(of The CARS) and his girlfriend Nancy. We had a blast. Having grown up here in New England and played during the thriving music scene since the 70's in Boston and beyond, I was part of this amazing musical movement.
And The CARS were by far THE band.
I was lucky enought to meet them before they became The CARS and we all became good friends. David has helped me more than any other musician in the country. He produced and played on virtually all of our records and tapes. And Elliot Easton played a great guitar solo on one of the tracks on our LP. We've all remained close friends after all this time. And David and I enjoy each other's company, as we have the same tastes in both music and art.
He is a dear friend. And I was so happy to see him last night in this sea of CARS fans who just adored him and the CARS.
The tribute band MOVING IN STEREO were very good. They had a great sound. Both vocally and in their playing. They could play and sing their asses off. Not a single one of them looked like any of The CARS, but damn did they ever sound like them. Before the night was over, it was obvious just how much we all loved and missed the CARS. They had some amazing songs. And Ben Orr was a ROCK STAR who passed way before his time. God I hate cancer.
Big shout out to Donna Neale who took care of us and made us feel so welcomed. Peter Van Ness has a great room at 9 WALLIS in Beverly, MA.
It was a wonderful night. Can't wait to read Joe's book.
The CARS and BEN ORR Will Live FOREVER!
"Surfing and Music Heals All Wounds."
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This is going to be a rare sight unless the town of Rye wakes up and stops the implementing of a parking ban on the seacoast. Oh yeah, it's happening. Slowly but surely, we are losing the right to park our vehicles anywhere in Rye. Unless you have a resident sticker good luck trying to find a place to park. Surf spots like this one above will be impossible to get to. Wake up people! If something isn't done to stop this we will all be taking ubers to the surf. Contact Ryan McGill at SUMMER SESSIONS to
get more info. 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 whole IRAN vs the USA is getting interesting. The unfortunate shooting down of one of our Drones, had us on the brink of something scary. We were minutes away from launching an attack on the gun placements that shot down that drone.
Here's a BEFORE pic of that expensive toy of ours.
It is an unmanned Drone that was flying over international waters.
This is what it ended up looking like. Yeah, she's broken alright.
And one of these two "blinked". 45 pulled the plug on the attack just 10 minutes prior to the launching of the missles. Why? He got cold feet when he heard that upwards of 150 Iranians would die in the attack. What the hell did he think would happen when you launch missles at people? Hello? Any way, this is far from over and there's no telling how this will end up. But someone better inform 45 that when you fire missles, people die. It's called War "Cadet Bone Spurs."
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.
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.
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.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
Well would you look at this! The long forgotten brother of KSM stopped by to vist with Khaliddy at GITMO. His brother is Mudhamed Mohamed but they called him Mud Face or "Muddy". I guess he loved to put mud on his face. KSM was always giving "Muddy" a hard time when they were kids. Needless to say, KSM was shocked when Muddy showed up with mud all over his face. They had a nice Goat for dinner, and then they both put mud on their faces like the old days. According to the guards, It was very touching. Yeah, there were some tears being shed.
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 Mud Face Mask Kit
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kevin Grondin June 23rd!
RIP Warren White USMC WWII
RIP to the Seven marines who died in that tragic Motorcycle accident. SEMPER FI
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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