September 11th, 2010 PATRIOT DAY
The Surf Count of Waist High Or Better is 28 out of 30 weeks....


There used to be a half a dozen of us. All surfers. We'd meet at the very same spot we were surfing at, on September 11th, 2001. Now there are three. Tony, Markey J and myself. We meet and refelect on that day. How good the surf was from Hurricane Erin. What a great swell that was. So sunny and such a cloudless blue sky. I'm sure you all remember it. For sure, those of you who surfed back then do. How could you not?
That surf was perfect. 6'-8' and just pulsing out there.

By the time I reached the ocean that fateful morning, I was still under the assumption that the water was as warm as the day before. It was not. Nature's air conditioning saw to that. She blew heavy out of the Northwest. That means cold water is coming. Sure enough, someone stopped me from going in the water that morning saying I needed boots. That person was a legitimate source of information.

So I went back to the house to get my booties.

By the time I walked into the house, my wife Cory was watching TV. "A plane crashed into the World Trade Center." She said. "A plane? What kind of a plane? A small plane? A Military jet?" I asked. She didn't know. I walked past the TV and there was a long shot of the North Tower burning in the distance. I remember thinking, that it was a small Piper Cub that had either intentionally hit the tower, or it was some bizarre accident. It was neither. Within minutes the second plane hit. I knew right then and there. We were at War. I swear, I knew. Call it some kind of gut reaction. But I knew this was war. And not just any war. This was some kind of scary new Terrorist movement. And it had just descended down on our peaceful world.

And we were about to find out , just what kind of enemy we would be facing.

Before I could process any more of this, I knew I had to get back down to the ocean to tell everyone who was out surfing. I don't think some of the surfers understood the enormity of it all. While others completely overacted. Most were like me. In a semi state of shock. Because I had seen the burning towers it was hard to convey to those who were standing around in wetsuits holding their boards.

So we turned on the radio. WBCN and Howard Stern.

For the next several hours Howard had become our communication with the outside world. And what we all heard that morning continued to blow us all away. When the news about The Pentagon came on, it got really quiet. The Pentagon? WTF??? Somewhere along the way we noticed that there was not a single plane in the sky. It was getting weirder by the minute. I mean, it was a day that those of us who were around, will never ever forget.

We had friends flying that day. Bobby Morgan and his wife Jen were en route to Mexico. They had flown out of Logan Airport that morning. The thought of losing those two was almost too much to bear. Thank God they were forced to land in Texas. There were others flying that day. Bob Hayes was one. He was on Flight 11 out of Boston. Bob was a surfer. But suffice it to say, that by the time we checked on his Status, he was already gone. His plane was the first plane to hit the WTC. Local surf Mom Angela's brother Tommy was also on that plane. That's two surf connections on 9-11-01.

So our day of great waves with ERIN were changed forever.

The majority of us who were around that day won't ever forget. But that is not case with a lot of people. Some have gone back to their own worlds. Not a single thought ever crosses their minds about that day. While others who have relatives in the Military live with it day in and day out. Because my friends, the Global War On Terrorism was born from the ashes of September 11th, 2001.

There are 49 families in the State of New Hampshire alone who think about September 11th, 2001 and the significance it has on their lives. They have sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers who have given their lives for our country, because of that day, fighting in this never ending War. I know, because I have met with each family of the fallen. I know of their grief. Their undying love of their loved ones. And I know of their deep appreciation, that a handful of old Veterans like myself, have dedicated a monument right here in Hampton, with the names of their loved ones engraved on it.

Today, we unveiled the names of seven more brave sons from New Hampshire.

Seven young warriors killed since last September 11, 2009. Each year the American Legion in Hampton, adds the names of those from NH who have lost their lives from one September 11th to the next. We made a promise to the families of the Fallen, that we would never forget the sacrifices of their loved ones. Nor, would we ever forget their own personal sacrifices.

We kept that promise. What about you? Have you forgotten?

Is Surfing the only thing you think about? What does this day mean to you? How many of you are aware of that monument in Hampton? How many times have you driven by that monument next to ME & OLLIES, on the way to go surfing? How many times have you stopped at ME & OLLIES to grab a coffee and a bagel? Have you ever walked the 20 feet to read the names? Would you be surprised to know, that several of the names on that monument, were actually surfers? It's true.

The next time you stop for a donut and coffee, walk over and take a look. Take a good long look, and then thank them for their sacrifice. Thank them for allowing you to go surfing. And not live in fear of being attacked by a band of cowards, like that day in 2001. Thank them. Then thank the two surfers on the stone and catch a wave for them.

September 11th, 2001. Was the single most defining moment in our nation's history.

"Greater Love Has No One Than This, That He Lay Down His Life, For His Fellow Comrade..." Written on the monument in Hampton, NH.


Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
So with September 11th in the news all week, some clown with Mutton Chops all over his clown face, decides that he is going to burn the Quran?Looney Bird Pastor Terry Jones from Florida, is the latest buffoon to emerge from the shadows of obscurity, had created a stir in the Islamic world.

Earth to Pastor Jones. Burning the Quran will be a danger for all US Military abroad.

Look, can we just have a Bitch Slap Czar that can single out the idiots of the world and just Bitch Slap them on TV? If I were Obama I'd appoint a Czar of Bitch Slapping. And just bitch slap these idiots whenever they pop up. Hell, I'd do it. Call me OB...I'd be happy to Bitch Slap some of these idiots. More than happy.

We are NOT at war with the Muslims. We are at War with Radical Islamic Terrorists.

That gas explosion this week in California's San Bruno was pretty scary. Damn. Now how the hell does something like that happen? I mean come on? A Gas Explosion that ripped through that many homes? Somebody lost their job this week.

The NFL starts Sunday September 12th. May the pigskin fall in your favor. Are you ready for some football. Oh hell yes we are...bring it on!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY Mackey V September 14th!
Happy Birthday to Mike Colby Jr !
Rest in Peace Tony Capozzi age 60, from cancer. I'll see you on the next world brother.
Rest In Peace Mr Gedritis. father of Surf Photographer Joe Gedritis. *His dad was also a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Rest in peace sir...I'm sure you'll be reacquainted with all the Pearl Vets.
September 11th, 2010 the adding of 6 NEW names to the GWOT Monument at the Hampton POST 35 in Hampton, NH.
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Ralph

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Saturday September 11th, 2010 at 6PM on High Street (Rte 27) in Hampton, NH...you guys all drive right past this on the way to the surf.