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May 27th, 2012 "Memorial Day Weekend"
 The RUN is 9 out of 9 Weeks. Waist high or better, at least
once a week. Waves were Chest high Sunday and Wednesday, and waist high on Thursday, May 20, 23, & 24th 2012!

I know I have written about this in years past on Memorial Day, and while it is in one form or another, a repeat question, it is important that I bring it to the surface once again. It is after all, the one time of the year, where we can put aside our vast political differences to remember and pay tribute to our Nation's War dead. Memorial Day Weekend. The question is:

"How Many Surfers have been killed in Americas Wars?"

And to be fair, I am referring to those who served from WWII to the current Global War On Terrorism. How many surfers serving in the Military have been killed in action? If surfers were surfing
in the early 1940's it is entirely conceivable that a few WWII
vets were killed in action who had just started surfing on the West Coast and in the Hawaiian Islands.

400,000 Americans died in WWII. Some had to have been surfers.

I don't know who would have such a statistic, but I bet anything it is significant. And certainly post WWII times, many returning vets took up surfing. And by the time the Korean War broke out and a whole bunch of those who served in WWII were drafted back into the ARMY, well, it only stands to reason that more Surfers were killed in Korea.

38,000 Americans died in Korea. Again, some had to be surfers.

By the time the 60's rolled around. Everybody was surfing. Just like the Beach Boys sang..."Everybody was surfing, surfing
USA!" And they were. And not just in California. Hell the whole East coast was mirroring what the West Coast was doing. We
all went surfing. And right around 1965 another war was just getting wound up. Vietnam.

From 1965 to 1975 close to 60,000 Americans died there.

I know some of them were surfers, because some of them were friends of mine. I know I have written this in the past too. And that is; "Vietnam was the First REAL Surf War." So many of us who served there were surfers.

Hell, I used to get Surfer Magazine sent to me when I was there.

I used to carry each new issue in my pack. My friends all thought I was crazy. "Man you sure are crazy about this surfing huh Ralph?" I would just smile and nod.



(Above) A surf scene from the movie Apocalypse NOW.

And I would smile at my other two buddies in my platoon who were surfers as well. PVT Hood was from Florida. He surfed all
the breaks on the Atlantic side of Florida. I used to give him a hard time about Florida's waves. Then there was CPl Tavolacci from California. He was a short little guy who was built like a fire hydrant. He surfed his home break of Moss Landing. He always had a photo of Moss landing on him that he would show us.

But the three of us used surfing as motivation to get back home.

How many times have I said that "Surfing Heals All Wounds?" Well, of the three surfers in my platoon only Hood got messed
up. He lost his left leg from the knee down running to a chopper.
I told him as he was loaded on the Medevac that "You're going home Hood , and you will surf again!" I never knew what happened to him. I have no idea if he ever did surf again. Once
I came back home I lost touch with everyone. I hope he did surf.

But there were others who I knew, that were killed, who were hardcore surfers. And if I knew surfers who were killed in Nam there had to thousands more. I knew others, like my best friend Joe Somogyi who was exposed to gallons and gallons of Agent Orange while working Special OPS in some of the most
dangerous covert missions of the war, who died after coming home to the "World." (Slang for USA) .



(Above) Joe Somogyi surfing the Wall in 1974 from my SUPER 8mm Movie collection.

And that seemed like the cruelest joke of all. To survive what Joe did, only to die a few years later from Agent Orange was beyond sad. The only saving grace was Joe did get to surf for almost 7 years before he wilted away to almost nothing.

The wars that followed Vietnam though not as big, were as significant if you happened to be in Combat. From Beirut to Somalia, from the GULF War to Bosina and Kosovo. If you were engaged in combat it was war. And if you were a family member of someone who was killed in the war, well...you never forget it.

I knew a surfer by the name of Nick Zangaro. Nick was a Marine who was badly wounded in Beirut in 1983. Nick who surfed the Wall a million times could have easily been a casualty of that forgotten war.

The list of Surfers killed in America's Wars and conflicts was growing with each new engagement. Each war left fewer surfers
in the line-ups around the country. Sometimes forever

Then came the current War on September 11, 2001.

I guess it would be an understatement of colossal proportions
if I said that there have been many surfers who have served in the military in this current Global War On Terrorism. As far as
how many who have been killed in combat or in the War? Well that again is one for the Surfologists to figure out. I do know however of several who were Surfers, who died in the war.



(Above) NAVY SEAL SCPO Dan Healy from Exeter NH was KIA on June 28th, 2005 in Afghanistan. Danny was a surfer. He surfed
all over. Here on New Hampshire's seacoast, on the West coast and in Hawaii.

His mother Nat is a dear friend of ours and she loves surfing.

She along with several other New Hampshire Gold Star Mothers (Gold Star Mothers are the moms of service men and women
who were killed in the military) recently unveiled the Wall Of Heroes at the VA Medical Facility in Manchester, NH .

There are the 50 plus members of our military from the State of NH who have their portraits hanging in this corridor that is designated to the fallen of this current GWOT.

Danny is one of them. Like I said, Danny was a surfer.

 

 

 

 

 

 






Another Surfer and ironically a member of that same SEAL Team as Healy. Michael Murphy was KIA on the same day, on the same mountain in Afghanistan. Murphy however was awarded the Medal Of Honor. He died while calling for help for his 4 man team while surrounded by 100's of Taliban fighters. He actually used his cellphone to get through to his back up.
In doing so he had to expose himself to direct enemy fire.

He was hit several times before he finally succumbed to his devastating wounds.

There is a book that was written by the only Survivor of that battle Marcus Lutrell called LONE SURVIVOR. It is soon to be a major motion picture. Not sure if there will be any surfing in the flick, but I'm sure there will be shots of them in Hawaii, and it does not take too much imagination to know that if these guys were surfers, it's a good chance that they surfed in Hawaii.

Besides, these guys were SEALS. You know damn well they surfed. You kidding? They more than likely had their own
secret spot that only SEALS have access to.

OK so I had a moment of disappointment this morning that I need to share with you. I had opened the NEW Surfer mag and was reading the story about John Smith. AKA Johnny AWOL. I guess this Johnny was a surfer and had decided to enlist in the ARMY. Part of the reason why was so he could get stationed in Hawaii. Seems reasonable enough. I just mentioned the SEALS above who surfed in Hawaii.

However, the similarities stop there. Why? Because lil Johnny went AWOL while stationed in Hawaii. He bugged out. The
story in Surfer which just so happens to fall on Memorial Day weekend was about this surfer's dilemma about staying AWOL and surfing in Hawaii, or turning himself in.

I was pissed to say the least, so I penned this letter. I want to share it with you now in case SURFER decides not to run it. But this is my email to Surfer exactly how I wrote it this morning.

To The Editor:
Here it is Memorial Day Weekend, and I just finished reading your piece on Johnny AWOL's ARMY adventure. This is what
you guys decided to run on Memorial Day? Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how many people in the Military read your mag? Do you have any idea how many SURFERS who served in the military were KIA (Killed in Action)?

Was this story supposed to inspire young surfers?
And if so, how?

Perhaps a story on how many SURFERS have been killed
fighting in America's wars might have been more appropriate. But I'm sure that might not sit well with some of you saltwater geniuses. From WWII, KOREA, and VIETNAM, to the conflicts
and wars from April 30, 1975 to the current GWOT, there have been hundreds of thousands of American Surfers who not only served, but have been wounded, and some who paid the ultimate price. They died.

Men like Joe Somogyi and ARMY Ranger in Vietnam 1969, a
hard core surfer. Dan Healy a NAVY SEAL who was KIA in Afghanistan in 2005, a surfer. The list is miles long. I could fill this whole post with names and places.

Instead, we read about poor Johnny AWOL's dilemma of surfing the North Shore for two years, while struggling with his commitment to the US ARMY. Such a heart warming story. I'm sure the families of the fallen, who have old SURFER Mags stashed away in the bedrooms of their sons and daughters who have been killed in America's wars, feel fine after reading that.

Next year try thinking outside of the box. Take a stand and acknowledge the very reason why you guys get to make millions selling SURFER and like minded products to the
millions of surfers out there. You get to do it, because of the brave men and women who did NOT go AWOL, but instead,
they fought and died for your freedom.

Let me repeat that for you. They died for your freedom.

"For those who fought for it, Freedom has a taste, the protected will never know."

Ralph Fatello USMC Vietnam 69-70. Surfing since 1964.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

Kalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM) the Mastermind behind 9/11 and his
band of losers are still at GITMO. Once again, my favorite photo for
your viewing pleasure. They really should project this image in court during his trial. Be fun to see his disgust at looking at himself in this degrading and most unflattering of photos.



This looks more like a photo to the sequel to ANIMAL HOUSE II.
Like I said last week, I plan on keeping this photo up every week until his trial is over. Loser.

The battle is heating up between Obama and Romney...things will get uglier before they get better. Oh brother is it ever .

There was a fire on board a Nuclear SUB this week here in Portsmouth, NH. How the hell does that happen? Regardless, our local Firefighters helped quell that blaze. Thank you guys.

Celtics WIN GAME 7 against the 76ers 85-75! Yea baby!

So it's the DEVILS and the KINGS in The Stanley Cup Finals. Man what
a difference a year makes huh? seems like last year the Bruins were in the Finals. What's that, they were? DOH!

What's the saying? Maybe next year ...right.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
THANK YOU To All My RPOTW Advertisers/Sponsors for making the
last 9 years so successful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY John Grasso May 26th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jay Pinsonnault May 29th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dean Petty May 29th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gilly Donatelli May 29th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam Smith May 29th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Leah O'Hara May 31st!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cy Zetterberg May 31st!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Karen Evans June 2nd!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anne Marie Foley June 2nd!
REST IN PEACE Robin Gibb.
GET WELL SOON Matt Denis WHS student!
GET WELL Soon Steve "Surfer Crow" Watson!
GET WELL Soon Mike Cropper!!

Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on My
CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner on this page.)
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Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic
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Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph



















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Yesterday- Somewhere lost in time ...1974.
(Below) I'm not sure where this was taken. Somewhere in Jersey I believe. I know who the surfer in the wetsuit is. That's the late Joe Somogyi. He was taken from us in 1978 from his constant exposure to the deadly toxin of AGENT ORANGE in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. Joe was a surfer. And surfers don't die...or do they? Joe is one of the many we will remember this Memorial Day. Rest in Peace Brother.
Photo by Charlie


Click on the photo above to see the larger version.

 

 







TODAY as in this week... all the photos below were taken this week, unless otherwise noted.

Today- Glassy May Days- May 23rd, 2012 Photos By RALPH



(Above) Another Glass wave. Matt Colby extending. Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) MVF shadow play. Wednesday May 23, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.









(Above) Kyle Linseman. Wednesday May 23, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery



(Above) Matt Colby from a five shot sequence. Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.




(Above) Tom Hay downshifts at Dogland. Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By RALPH * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today-Smooth as Glass Sunday May 20th, 2012. Photos By RALPH



(Above) It was the smoothest glass. Sunday May 20, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.






(Above) Lenny Nichols on the Glass slipper. Sunday May 20, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.







(Above) Smooth and hollow. Sunday May 20, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

 

 



(Above) Going for broke. Backhand rail grab. Sunday May 20, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Hey this is a good dive. Mike Sidebottom ejecting with style.
Sunday May 20, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- More Glassy May Days. May 23, 2012.
Photos By Ed O'Connell



(Above) Nick Miller whipping spray turn. . Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Jared Veltsos . Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Nice cutback. Jared Veltsos. Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.



(Above) Markey J, Ryan Denning, Nick Miller, Jared Veltsos, and Mike Stanek. Wednesday May 23, 2012. Photo By Ed O'Connell
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.












(Above) Unknown into something of the unknown. Wednesday May 23, 2012.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today-Random Ralph Pics May 24th, 2012. Photos By RALPH




(Above) Rori, Zappy, and Ali. May 24 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.






(Above) TSJ doubletruck photo spread by Brian Nevins of Bryan Johnson at the Wall this past winter. May 24 2012. Photo of NEVINS Photo by RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Click here for Info on This Contel On the Ocean in Hampton, NH
Today-Memorial Day Scenes on the Seacoast May 25th, 2012. Photos By RALPH




(Above) This little girl played the most beautiful rendition of the AMAZING Grace I had ever heard on Friday May 25th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.






(Above) The Wall of Heroes at the VA Medical Center in Manchester, NH.
 May 25th, 2012. Photo By RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers.
Just make sure they are at least 900 pixels wide.
If you have any OLD photos we can scan them
for you. And we don't care if you shoot them with
your cellphones. I mean it.

Just send them along.





(Above) Peter Stokes on Tavarua Island. May, 2012 Photo courtesy of Peter Stokes.
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





(Above) Tavarua Island. May, 2012 Photo courtesy of Peter Stokes.
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.

Click On Image Above For larger version.
www.catchawaveformolly.com




(Above) HUGE Cloudbreak Tavarua Island. May, 2012 Photo courtesy of Wally
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.





Black and white CLOUDBREAK on a massive scale. Photo courtesy of Wally
* Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.


CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

 

Two generations. Two wars. One story. On Memorial Day in 1993, 13 year old Kyle finds his grandfather Bud's WWII footlocker. Bud has not spoken of the war since its end, but when presented with the souvenirs within, he tells Kyle the story behind each one. As Bud recounts his harrowing tales, we see not only his traumatic experiences in combat, but also how they mirror Kyle's future in war-torn Iraq. After suffering a devastating injury, Kyle returns for one final mission before his unit is due to be sent home. Presented with a moral dilemma of leadership similar to one faced by Bud, whether to spare an individual life or let one person die to potentially save many others, Kyle finally understands why his grandfather was so reluctant to share his past.
Dir. Sam Fischer. James Cromwell, Jonathan Bennett, Jackson Bond

Click for New QWILL CD



Above New Todo Bien CD



Ok you saw that I wrote in my column above about surfers who have died in our Nation's wars. There was no bigger loss of life in the SURFER/Military than Vietnam. Thousands of surfers died in Nam. Thousands. I had the honor and pleasure to have a small part in this movie. So did Tom Woods and our buddy Ron Sizemore in California. As did a host of other Surfer Nam Vets.

One of which Jerry Anderson put out a wonderful coffee table book.

Click here for more info about this movie.
Between The Lines




Hear BEFORE The CRASH in the
NEW RUN REDUX movie



Two Year Old Stoked On Surfing VIMEO

There are some who would want to squelch this stoke. That there are already too many people in the line-ups on the planet. I see this and I smile. I love the pure stoke of a small child discovering surfing for the fist time. I say spread this stoke as far as we can without sacrificing the integrity of certain breaks and locations. Damn the mean locals. Surfing Heals All Wounds.




No Crackie this week. He's attending local Memorial Day Observances remembering some of the men he served with in World War II. He did leave us with this quote..."Look Dumb ass, there's nothing funny about Memorial Day. It's the one day of the year where we should all stop and remember our fallen from all of our Nation's wars...I'll see you next week. Until then GIT OUT MY FACE!!"

Meanwhile, if you have a question for Ole Crackie please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

Crackie has his own Facebook Page. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.

Hope you all learn something from this informative Q&A.








(Above) All Rise: 10th Street District Court of Surf Justice is now in session, the
Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. CASE 163 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Shot last week during the May Day Week Swell. Click the photo to see the outcome of this Surf crime and the verdict. Photo by RALPH

Yes...we're on Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo.

 

 






CLICK ABOVE to read the WHOLE DAILY"Catch A Wave For Molly" BLOG. I started the campaign on July 26, 2010 and Ended July 26, 2011. I kept a daily digital blog, of each and every day. There's tons of photos too! It was an amazing adventure. And yes you can still donate to the MOLLY ROWLEE Fundraiser. Click it.



 



 


Looks like more surf mid week...can you stand it?
COMING NEXT WEEK!





Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD art to
see a larger version and how to order this CD.
This CD and others for sale at GAF Music.
www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic

Random Internet photos from around the Globe. There's some pretty impressive spots out there. Like Rincon above. Good luck trying to score a day like this without sharing it with a hundred
or more aggro riders of every kind of craft. COMING NEXT WEEK.


Recorded in 1983. Click on VINNY CD art to
see a larger version and how to order this CD.
This CD and others for sale at GAF Music.
www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic



And this little gem of a set up. Is it me or are the two waves inside empty? How the hell did that happen?
COMING NEXT WEEK!







 





(Above) Put the cursor over the images above to see happens when you DROP in on someone. You become Invisible. Simply put the mouse over the photo to see the
original photo and then marvel at the results of what happens when the criminal
becomes invisible.*Put the cursor over the photo to see the Real image.
Photo by RALPH









Today 2012 May 27, 2012..."Keep yer eyes and ears open..."
















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