I took this photo on November 10th, 2020. The 245th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. "So what" you're thinking? Well, the reason I took the photo is because I started to see posts on social media of people hanging flags on their homes for the first time in years. Or to be more specific, the first time in four years. In other words, they hung flags on their home because Trump will no longer be president. How sad is that? I was totally unaware that people stopped flying their flags because Trump was president.
So I took this pic because I wanted to Blog about the many reasons I fly the flag on our home.
I have been flying a flag on our home since we bought it in 1990. The reason I fly the flag has nothing to do with the person who sits in the Oval Office. I fly the flag because between me and my wife, we have generations of Veterans who served our country. I've flown the flag 24-7 for 30 years. I never voted for Obama. But I flew the Flag all 8 years of his presidency. I never voted for Clinton, but I flew the flag all 8 years of his presidency.
The flag does not only represent the president, it represents much more than their role in this country. I fly the flag for all the veterans who have served, and still serve our country. I fly the flag for all of those who died fighting for our country. I fly the flag because of all the police, firefighters, and first responders. I fly the flag for all those who have taken an oath to defend the constitution, whether you are in uniform, or are working for the government in the private sector. I fly the flag for all of the social workers, doctors, and nurses. I fly the flag for all of the teachers and principals in our nation's schools.
I fly the flag for all of our students both here, and abroad. I fly the flag for all that is good about America. And let me tell you, there is MORE Good then there is Bad in our country. And I'll tell you something else. You will NEVER, EVER see me kneeling during the National Anthem. If I'm kneeling during the anthem? It's because I physically can't stand up. Homey don't play that game. Sorry.
So yes, I was surprised that my Liberal friends were "Coming out of the closet" to fly their flags again. How pathetic. How insulting to all who wore, and still wear the uniform. Look, I'm no fan of 45. Everyone who knows me, knows this. But I flew the flag during his time in office. And I'll do the same for Biden.
I wrote about the hate last week in this country. I wrote that it's mostly coming from the left side of the aisle. Which is ironic. But it's true. I Blogged about forgiveness, but some of them want no part of it.
They want revenge. They want to see the GOP pay for the last 4 years. They claim it's all about retribution to the party who supported President Trump. Ugh.
I wonder how they feel about the hundreds of thousands
of Republicans who Voted for Biden. Do you want them to suffer too? I personally know hundreds of Republicans who Voted for Biden. How about the hundreds of thousands of Blacks and Latinos who voted for Trump? Are they racists? Seriously. What do you call them? Can you say Hypocrite? I can. You HYPOCRITES!
Stop hating and start healing. Forgiveness. Why is that so hard for you?
Did we forgive England after the Revolutionary War? Did we forgive the Southern states after the Civil War? Did we forgive Japan after WWII? Did we forgive Germany after WWII? I think we’re more than capable of forgiving political opponents. Otherwise you have missed the entire point of President Elect Biden’s speech last Saturday. You really can’t see beyond your own seething hate? This country will never heal as long as this hate exists. I choose love and forgiveness over hate. LOVE over HATE.
I'm a DOG MAN. I love dogs. Joe and Jill Biden obviously love dogs too.
I wrote this paragraph below last week. I'm re-posting it because some of
you need the reminder.
The message to Democrats: REPUBLICANS are NOT the Enemy.
The message to Republicans: The DEMOCRATS are NOT the Enemy.
The
sooner we all agree on that basic principle, the faster we will heal.
FORGIVENESS
IS THE FIRST PART OF HEALING.
David McInnis passed away recently. He was 70 years old. David was a surfer who surfed all over the world, but he started here in new England. I surfed with Dave many times over the years. Mostly in the 70's when we were both young men. He was always very nice to me. He and I got along well. A quiet individual who had no fear in the water. It's always hard to hear of a surfer passing away. Surfers are not supposed to leave us before their time. They are supposed to surf off into the sunset. But we all know that's not true. Cancer knows no boundaries. It takes and chooses what it wants, and cares not about what it leaves behind. No amount of money or love can stop it.
We've all lost someone to cancer. My list is a long one. And it's not over.
One of the nicest things that surfers will do for a fellow surfer is to have a Memorial Paddle. That's what Dave's family did last Sunday in Ogunquit Maine. Family and friends all spoke on the beach and then all the surfers paddled out into the Rivermouth and conducted a nice service. John McInnis Dave's younger brother spoke both on the beach and in the water. It was nice to hear the stories that John spoke of.
Here's a 3 generation photo of John's son and grandson sitting next to him in the line up. *There's a whole gallery of the paddle down in the thumbnail section. Just click on the pics and check out all the larger size images.
Dave's son Bobby spoke out in the water and told us all of some of the heroic surf sessions he had with his dad, including one when Dave was 65. Charging monster waves. There were many heart warming stories about Dave. I always liked talking with David. He was one of the first people to advertise on my Blog. McInnis Oriental Rugs. We had many an interesting story about the Middle East. He once told me how he made some shop keeper take down a poster of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. He was either by himself or had a single friend with him. Regardless, that took guts. He was truly a good man.
After everyone had a chance to speak, Bobby emptied his father's ashes into the ocean.
I've been to so many Surfer's Paddles and when you witness something like this first hand you never forget it. Dave is part of Mother ocean again. He's gone home to God and his loved ones. Rest easy David.
I'll see you again on the other side.
The 45th President has finally admitted that Joe Biden has won. You know, if you show me someone who doesn't mind losing, I will show you a loser. But having said that, I think he realizes that it's not Rocket Science. It's simple math. The candidate with the most votes wins. And speaking of the most votes. Joe Biden got more votes than any other candidiate in the history of our country. And this man (above) got the second most. Think about that.
My friends, it's time to join together, and move forward. We need to unify.
"FORGIVESS HEALS ALL WOUNDS!"
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This week's Ed's corner is Max Fatello. I remember this day. It was Ed, myself, and Brian Nevins all shooting the action at The Wall. October 26th, 2008. Frankie Walsh was up and he was killing it out there. So too was Adam Coates, Jared Veltsos, and Max. Look for pics of the other guys in the next few weeks.
Photos by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
Now for Some Local and National News
The 245th MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY held at TINOS (Galley Hatch) in Hampton, NH was the only Veteran event I attended this week. We had a really good showing in spite of the COVID cases that seem to be growing all over the country. Marines have fought tougher battles than COVID 19. I once again read the RIFLEMAN'S CREED. I was a Grunt in the Corps and received the LEATHERNECK Award for being the High Shooter in Parris Island. And yes I had three helpings of SOS (Shit on a shingle). Re: Chipped beef on toast. I actually love it. Which is funny because I hated it when I was in the Corps. Go figure.
The Marines above are : Myself, Phil Bean and Recon Marine Donnie. If you know any local Seacoast Marines let them know that we meet every single November 10th at TINOS above the Galley Hatch. It's a tradition with Marines all over the World. Both active and non-active Marines. Let the Marine in your life know about this come next 10-November 2021.
This sad news hit me hard this past week.
RIP Alex Trebek.
I don't know why, but for some reason I thought that Alex Trebek would be that one person to be able to beat Pancreatic Cancer.
Well, I was wrong. That shit gets everyone. And it's only a matter of time once you receive that diagnosis. Is there anyone who watched Jeopardy that didn't like him? He was a class act right up until the end. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing.
He was the best host of Jeopardy. Who is Alex Trebek?
This just in Kainalu Nichols from Hampton/Hawaii age 21 earns the coveted IRON MAN Award at the EASTERNS after winning the ESA's MEN's DIVSION. He surfed in more heats than anybody and placed higher than anyone.
The thought of this guy taking the IRON MAN award is not too hard to believe. I've watched him grow before my very eyes and every time I see him surf he gets better and better. He has a finger on the pulse of each wave he rides. His knowledge of the water and the waves gets stronger and smarter every time he paddles out.
When you watch good surfers out in the water, they all seem to have an inner-sight as to where to go on each wave. That's Kainalu. He just seems to have this invisible thread that pulls him through each section, while possessing a steam room of power to project him into vertical assaults with a super sonic speed to pull them off. I've seen it and heard his peers on the beach hooting him on. Kainalu is our best shortboarder.
Style, power, and grace. Photo by Bobby Owens.
We all love Kai and wish him the best.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
Before you 45 fans get upset with me, I didn't make up the original Meme. Yes I inserted Khaliddy, but I didn't make the original meme. Besides, this is funny. It's a freaking joke. If we can't chuckle at this, we're all in trouble. FYI Biden will get the same treatment from me. You can bank on that.
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 GUN GREASE
at Home Depot this week.
I saw a beach. I am an artist and I am in need of a vacation.
HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY George Masten 11-9-2020!
HAPPY 245th Marine Corps BIRTHDAY November 10th, 2020!
HAPPY VETERANS DAY November 11th, 2020!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tim Bailey November 13th, 2020!
REST IN PEACE Dave McInnis 1950- October 25th, 2020.
PLEASE Keep 97 yr old Frank Grondin in your thoughts and prayers, as well as Chuck (Kim's dad) and Mrs Berardini (Tony's 99 yr old mom) in your thoughts and prayers.
We'd all love to see her make it to her 100th Birthday in December. She's a fighter, but she could use some help. Your prayers can help. Thank you.
PLEASE Keep longtime NH Surfer Greg Smith in your Prayers.
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 16 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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