This is the cake we all shared on the "Birthday". Marines refer to November 10th each year as the Birthday. It's so funny, we are the only branch of the service that celebrates our birth of the Corps. Crazy I know. But it was drilled into all of our heads in boot camp. Every single Marine on the planet knows when the "Birthday" is. And they will celebrate no matter where they are.
here in Hampton we have a good crowd each "Birthday". From WWII vets (there are only 2 left), Korea, Vietnam, to the current Global War on Terrorism.
Every war and conflict is represented.

The three Marines below all spoke. Col Tim Bailey Afghanistan read the Commandants message. MGYST Eric LaMontagne Vietnam read the opening prayer. And I read the Rifleman's Creed. Every Marine knows that one. It's pretty intense. And I admit, I read it with vigor and conviction.



FYI Tim and myself are the only surfers of the gathering.

In the photo below we have the cake cutting ceremony where the oldest marine gets the first piece and he then hands it to the youngest Marine.
It's an impressive and honorable tradition that only Marines take part in.



Then the next day is Veteran's Day. November 11th. I only attend the 11 O'clock service. It's too damn cold for the other three. I'll make all four Memorial day services, but not on V-day. Besides, my thinking is we do the service on the 11th month, on the 11th, day, on the 11th hour. Exactly how the Armistice was signed back then.



They froze their asses off. Single digits with the wind factor. We're luck a few of them didn't succumb to the bitter cold. Back when I was Commander I had to do all four services. When I left I made a suggestion that we only do the one service on Veterans Day. They shot me down. Oh well, I was only trying to help and make things easier and better. But, whatever.



I told them all with a smile on my face, that I said a prayer for them standing on the beach at 8:00AM freezing their little butts off. I told them how warm my bed felt at 8:00AM. My sincere and logical thinking is by 11:00AM the sun will be warmer. More people would attend. It's a win win situation. But, I'm not the Commander anymore, and so they went back to the old school of thought. Be cold, miserable, and bored, rather than to be full of energy and warmth shortly after because we all retreat back into the Post after the service.

Maybe someday they'll get it. Until then, I only attend the last one. The one that really matters. Happy Veteran's Day to all you vets out there.



On the 11th hour, on the 11th day, on the 11th month in San Diego, Tony and Shelly exchanged vows in the back yard of Tony's mother's home. There are no pics yet, but there will be some forthcoming. Until then, we all want to wish them both a Happy and long lived marriage together. We LOVE you both!



The RINGS of faith, hope, and love. *Is it me or does Tony look like he's giving the finger. Only you Tony. Only you.

"Veterans and Love Heals All Wounds"

This week's Ed's corner pic is from June 9th, 2013. This is Mikey Evans and he is letting his hair down and out and about for this pic. Holy Moly Mikey! That would have made for some cool video.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some International News

How many people thanked Bowe Bergdahl for his service this last Veteran's Day? What's that? Nobody? That's too bad. But that's what happens when you get BRANDED FOR LIFE for deserting his post and misbehavior before the enemy. Reduced to a private and given a DISHONORABLE Discharge. I say F*** him and anyone who supports him. Moving on.

Speaking of losers and lowlifes. The list of Sexual Predators is growing in Tinsel town. The women are marching forward and exposing these creeps. Oh Harvey Weinstein look what you have wrought. You can't feel bad for any of these F***wads. Power and money with the teasing of fame was their bait. Oh and they took full advantage of the women who were at their mercy. Not to mention the young men who also felt the wrath of depravity with the likes of Kevin Spacey. I personally never saw a single episode of "House Of cards" so I won't be missing him.



But as you can see from this collage the names and faces are growing with each new day. You know what's funny? Nothing. Except if you look closely you can see that not a single one of these creeps would be considered handsome. The only way they could possibly get a woman to have sex with them is their power and money. Otherwise these clowns would be paying prostitutes.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see who's next.

Speaking of black marks. 45 finally made it to Vietnam. I was secretly hoping that the Vietnamese took him to the Hanoi Hilton where John McCain was held prisoner and they shoved him in McCain's old cell. Give him a taste of what the POW's had to endure. I am not going to hold back on this. But I never forgave him for what he said about McCain being held prisoner in North Vietnam for 5 years.

Trump lost me that day forever. I support the office of the presidency, but I will never ever forgive him for what he said.




In a million years, I'm sure he never thought he would be in this position. Meeting with the leader of Vietnam. Good lord.



This is not funny. This is true. Bone spurs kept him out.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
So the recent case of Hollywood losers have been paraded all over TV and the Internet as well as the newspapers and magazines. (remember them?). Well turns out Old Khaliddy was a victim of Kevin Spacey. So wait, does that make KSM gay?
I'm pretty sure the members of Al Qeada and ISIS frown upon the Gay and Lesbian communities. This could pout KSM is some real danger down in GITMO. Join with me and pray for KSM...wait what the hell am I saying? Pray for the gay and lesbian community instead. The thought of KSM being one with them is scary.



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 "House of Cards" DVD's
at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY George Masten November 9th, 2017!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY USMC November 10th, 2017!
HAPPY VETERAN'S Day November 11th, 2017!
CONGRATS to Tony and Shelly Getting Married on 11-11-17!



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

(Above) It was perfect for longboarding. Tuesday November 7th, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby was out chasing down all the good rights.
Tuesday November 7th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Thursday November 9th, 2017
Photos by Brian Sullivan

(Above) Nice little air here. Thursday November 9th, 2017
Photo by Brian Sullivan *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos