The local seacoast veterans organization, American Legion Post 35 does four services, and two parades every single Memorial Day. I was commander from 2001- to 2014 and I can tell you first hand, that it is both rewarding, and taxing on one's body and mind. This year was no different except, maybe the weather was a tad on the chilly side at our first service on the beach at 0800. In fact, it felt more like Veterans Day weather than Memorial day.

But nobody complained (out loud).

It's still amazing to me after all these years how so many of the seacoast community comes out and participates in all of the four services. Our guest speaker this year was Marine/Firefighter Jed Carpentier. He did a great job in spite of the pressure to speak four times before 12 noon. That's a lot. But the young Marine did an outstanding job, and his speeches got better and better with each service.

And speaking of better, our Commander Berk Bennett who by the way is now into his 5th year as commander has really found his stride. He's gotten better at all of the services and does a great job in his speaking, and communicating with the four communities. As commander you need to have the correct mix of being serious and somber, to being a friendly and trusting face of the Legion. I had it in my 13 years as commander, and Berk has it in spades.



The Post 35 services are as follows: 0800 on the beach near the Marine Memorial (Lady Of The Sea) Hampton Beach. Followed by a 0900 gathering on Weare Park in Hampton Falls. From there we have a short parade and observance in North Hampton at 10:00AM, and finally ending in the "Big Parade" in Hampton that ends up at the High Street cemetery at 11:30AM.



My role as of late (since my retirement) is to be the Post photographer. Or as I am fond of calling myself The "Combat Surf Photographer". This year I had the distinct pleasure of driving a WWII vet, and two Korean war vets in my new Jeep RUBICON. It was both an honor, and a humbling experience for me.



This is Warren White a Marine WWII vet and myself (Marine Vietnam vet) at stop number two. I know that we are losing our WWII vets and Korean war vets at an alarming rate every day. I know that none of us will be getting out of here, and that it's just a matter of time before the Vietnam vet will be driven around by some young GWOT vet. I get that. I understand it. That's why I made the best of the day with these humbled and heroic veterans.



He needs a cane and assistance to simply stand up, but he was not about to sit down during the anthem and TAPS. To say he is a proud American would be putting it mildly.



Three of our Korean war vets. Jimmy Djerj USAF, John Emery US ARMY, and Donnie Walker USMC. I know these three will be gone someday too. That's why I go out of my way to talk with these guys each year. In fact, I talk with them at every meeting and every Veterans Day as well. I truly love these men.



In between parades, I drove these men to visit George in North Hampton.
I can honestly say, I miss George more than any of the others. He was a true friend, and a bona fide Marine Corps hero. Semper Fi George.

The Memorial Day Swell brought to you by 2,757,196 American lives.



America has lost 2,757,196 men and women in all of the wars since the Revolutionary War to the current Global war on Terrorism. That's over two and a half million lives. Try and wrap your head around that figure the next time you paddle out for a surf. The waves we surf, and the things we get to do, has come at a great price, in human blood, and valor. I know there are a few of you out there who don't care about that, and basically don't care, or understand the sacrifices of the men and women who serve our nation.

That's your God given right. As it is my own right, to tell you to blow it out your "pathetic know it all asses". Just keep in mind, that you have these rights to "bitch and complain" because of the sacrifices of those two and a half million men and women. If you forget that, I'll gladly remind you. Free of charge.



This guy knows the deal. Mikey Evans knows the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is when you THANK the living veteran. Memorial day is when you HONOR and REMEMBER the fallen. In other words, don't Thank the Veteran on Memorial day. Thank them on V-day.

OK so the day after Memorial day the swell cleaned up and I was fortunate enough to get Mikey on his first wave with is new Longboard. He shaped it, glassed it, waxed it, and rode it all by himself. The board is beyond sweet.



This is his first wave on the new board. The kid is so freaking talented in both
the shaping room and the green room. He is one of the handful of people I know who can make his own boards, and ride the snot out of them. I've got about 20 pics of him down in this gallery. Including the whole ride of his first few waves.

" Remembering The Truth About Memorial Day, and Surfing The Memorial day Swell Heals All Wounds."

This is Ryan Reed in what I called the "Lightening Strike" pic. I mean clearly you can see the bolt of lightening pictured here. Call it one of those unexplained natural phenomenons. I call it Ed's magical touch and eye. 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
So by now you all know that the Boston Celtics lost to Lebron and the Cavs. Not sure how many of you saw the first game on the NBA finals where the Cavs lost game one and the King came out looking like this. Look I'm no fashion plate, in fact, I'm anything but. I turn a blind eye to fashion and wear what I want. But this shit? Come on "Lebronnie." What are you thinking? He's thinking this. "I really don't give a shit what any of you think. I"m Lebron James. And I am the f****** King!"



Seriously, think I can get away with this look? I'm no Versace but if he were to add a gray Top Hat? Huh? Right people? Bet your ass I'm right. I hope the Cavs lose.

So you heard that Kim wrote Donald a letter, and he had his boy hand deliver it to 45 in person. Here's proof (below).



Look, I'm not gonna say that things are gonna work out for all of us here. I'd be a fool to say that. But I honestly hope that things calm down between North Korea and South Korea. Nobody wants a Nuclear War. And by nobody, I do include 45 here. Let's face it,
a nuclear war would mess up that hair of his.



So here's hoping that these two can work it out.

Roseanne Barr is not gonna be able to work things out with ABC.
This foul mouthed annoying comic tweeted some racist rant in the middle of the night that got her ass fired from her show. That sad thing is all of her cast and crew got axed too. Can I just say that I have never liked her as a comic. EVER! That voice is one of the most annoying voices on the planet. Just grating.



So she's gone. And no sooner does she get the axe when Samantha Bee lets loose with an X-rated rant of her own.



Her use of the "C" word against Ivanka was just plain awful.
I don't think there's a more derogatory word on the planet than that word. I cringe whenever I hear it. Both in person and on TV.
But should she get the same treatment as the Barr woman? I don't know. Gross is gross. But I'm in no position to make any calls on who gets fired. Roseanne yes. Samantha? I don't know.

Honestly if I were in charge I'd have both of their mouths washed out with lard. Not soap. LARD.



I'm helping out with this cause (above). I hope you do too!

KSM Photoshop of the Week
I'm not surprised by anything anymore. And neither should you be. So when I saw Kim Kardashian posing with 45 the other day I paid little or no attention. Until I saw this pic. And Holy Crap! Is that who I think it is peeking in the window? It sure as hell is.



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 "Breast and butt implants "
at Home Depot this week.

HEAL WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
HEAL WELL SOON Cliff Pappas!
GET WELL SOON JoEllen Bunton!

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



THE GRANITE GIRLS movie is done. We're currently
looking at venues for the premiere showing!




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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Little did I know at the time I shot this pic, that it was Gilly's birthday.
I'm stoked I got a couple of him. Tuesday, May 29th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Lars Hamilton got the wave of the day. Tuesday, May 29th, 2018. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) This kid was in the right spot at the right tide.
Tuesday, May 29th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Crowley putting the "Gentile" touch on this little boosty.
Tuesday, May 29th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Day One MEMORIAL DAY SWELL.
Monday May 28th, 2018. Photos by RALPH




(Above) Rick Evans is one of a handful of us still left who are a major part
of the local 10th Street scene. Monday, May 28th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) The next generation Max and Cam holding down the fort
at 10th Street. Monday, May 28th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kody Grondin laying down some rubber on this Memorial day swell. Monday, May 28th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Mikey Evans digging deep on another of his own creations.
Monday, May 28th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Max Fatello pulling out the stops at Tenth Street. May 28th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Then we're off to Hampton Falls at Weare Park at 0900.
Memorial Day Monday. May 28th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Then it's up to North Hampton at 10:00AM
Memorial Day Monday. May 28th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Finally finishing the day at the High Street Cemetery following our
long parade at 11:30 AM. Memorial Day Monday. May 28th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I always get the coolest pics from Stephen in Beverly.
May 29th, 2018. Photo by Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery