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September
9th, 2007
In
two days, we will all once again, be reminded of that awful day back in
2001. You know, September 11, 2001 the day everything came
to a stop. I'll never forget it, as I'm sure, most of you won't. It's
still hard to believe, that it even happened at all. But it did.
From
what started out, for most of us in New England, as a perfect day
of surf from Hurricane Erin, soon turned into a reality nightmare
of almost biblical proportions. That warm September morning, with
cloudless blue skies, and a perfect 6' ,well groomed swell, that was manicured
by a healthy offshore wind. It had all the markings of a great day of
surfing and photographing. I had gathered all my gear the night before
and had headed out (rather late) around 7:45AM to surf and shoot. When
I pulled up at the first break on my agenda, someone said the water had
gotten colder. Not having boots in my vehicle I asked how cold it was.
"Do I need booties?" Yes they answered. Dam, I thought, I've
got to now drive back up the road and get my booties. Just as well I thought,
I was going to shoot in the water and it's always colder doing that. Not
to mention that it's easier on the feet if you're shooting in the water
over a rock reef bottom.
No one likes stepping on sharp rocks and barnacles with bare feet. So,
I reluctantly headed back home to grab my boots.. When I got home my wife
was sitting there in the kitchen with her morning coffee, she had the
TV on. She said that some plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.
At first I thought she was talking about Boston. Then I saw the
TV. It was the twin towers in New York. The first tower was burning pretty
bad.
Still,
I thought it was a small plane that just happened to lose it while flying
over the city. Then I thought, it might be someone committing suicide
in a small, one or two seater. At no point, did I think it was a large
aircraft loaded with passengers and fuel. Maybe it was a single seater
fighter jet, who had somehow veered off course.
It
was, for those first few moments, confusing.
Then, the second plane came into view, and slammed into the second tower.
"Oh My God, We're At War!" I said out loud.
I looked over at my wife, who was equally in shock and said I needed to
go tell the others who were out surfing. When I got back in my vehicle
and headed back down to the ocean, I had the radio on, and I don't think
I shut it off until midday day after that. The irony of watching the surfers
in the water (who were clueless to what was happening ), and talking with
the others in their wetsuits near my vehicle, while listening to the radio,
was almost surreal.
All
of us had our dream surf session shattered.
The rest of that morning was full of numbness and disbelief. We had the
radio tuned to WBCN 104.1 as we all sat there and listened to the
shocking news. Howard Stern did an amazing job going from shock
jock to a bona fide news reporter. One of the most eerily of all the things
that happened that morning was, slowly but surely realizing, that there
was not another single aircraft in the sky. It was such a strange, sad
day.
Then the news started to pour in. Our friend and neighbor Bobby Morgan
was onboard a plane at that very moment. Heading for Mexico. He
and his wife had been looking forward to this tropical surf trip for sometime
now. They had been diverted to the closest airfield in Texas. But
we did not that. Nor did we know which airlines he was flying. We all
felt sick.
For
the better part of the morning, and into mid afternoon, we thought that
Bobby had been on one of the ill fated planes. We had no way of
knowing. It was intense.
That and watching the beautiful surf going off behind us with the surfers
out in the water not knowing. But those that knew the situation, gathered
by our vehicles and listened to the radios. I felt the knot in my stomach
tighten. Dam Bobby, were you really down there in New York?
Then we heard about the Pentagon. We eventually heard about the
brave civilians last stand on board Flt 93. My God, all these historical
moments happening in real time.
Then
we got news about Bob Hayes.
Bob Hayes was married with two small boys. He had surfed the Wall
with all of us many times. He was on the first plane. He was gone
forever. Suddenly, the day became personal for those of us who knew Bob.
A local surfer had died on that day. We had the traditional "Surfer's
Paddle" a few days later. But everything had changed for us. We were
at war. We're still at war.
And it all started on that beautiful
Tuesday, six years ago September 11, 2001.
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On 9-11 the world changed. Our lives have been affected by the
events of that day in more ways than we will ever really know. For starters,
we've been at war ever since. And this Global War On Terror is
not about to go away anytime too soon. We've lost other surfers as well.
Dan Healy was from Exeter. He was a Navy Seal. He spent
15 years in the Navy. He was a local kid who hung around
these beaches and surfed our waves. Dan died in Afghanistan
in 2005. He died trying to save 4 members of his SEAL team.
I
know it's hard for those of you who have no military background to grasp
all of this, and what it really means. But for those of us who have, it
is closer to our soul. The all volunteer military that we have, is the
best and the brightest in our country's history. Hands down, they are
the best.
And don't think for a moment, that there are no surfers serving in our
military. Because there are. Plenty of them. In Iraq and Afghanistan.
Fighting Terrorists. The same Terrorists who act and think like those
evil sons of bitches who killed Bob Hayes and the other 3,000
Americans that day six years ago. We owe it to them, and to
their families, that we will never forget their sacrifices or the sacrifices
of their families. Same with the Police and Firefighters. We look at
these First Responders in a different light today.
Like
I said, everything has changed since that day. Don't forget what happened.
Don't forget that we all stood United a few days later, and together we
pledged to defeat this common enemy. War is a terrible thing. But when
evil brings it to our shores, we MUST Unite to defeat it. We must.
I
would rather fight and die on my feet, than to live in shame on my knees.
Speaking of fighting...How about those PATRIOTS! Are you kidding
me? Whoa! You know, maybe those experts were right. Maybe our team is
that good. I mean Maroney was great today. Morris was great.
Welka was catching 99% of all the balls thrown at him. But
the real star of the day...? Oh My Word it has to be Randy Moss.
I mean Tom Brady has got to be just giggling to himself tonight.
Brady's passes to Moss were unbelievable all afternoon.
What was it? 6 first downs and a TD! Are you kidding me???
My
friends, it is Football season and the boys in Red, White and Blue
look good. I know it's early in the season and all but good lord, if this
is a sample of things to come, well it's going to be a sweet season.
And I know them Red Sox has got Red Sox nation all in a
tizzy as well. I mean, is there a better time of year than right now?
People? Talk to me. I mean, we have Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, The
Red Sox heading into the Play-Offs and the Patriots are kicking
some pigskin ass baby!
I love this time of year!
And if you're looking for something to do this month...well check this
out. First up, we have our own JIMMY DUNN performing this Saturday
Night Sept 15th at the SEACOAST REP
Go to Jimmy's site for the details. www.jimmydunn.tv
Jimmy's
our resident local Surfer who just so happens to be one of the funniest
comics in the United States.
Ed Tekeian will be showing some of his surfboards next week at
Boston's South End open studios. It's Saturday, 9/15, 11am-6pm.
His studio is 551 Tremont St, Studio 305, Boston. His website is
tekeian.blogspot.com.
The following week we have our only chance to see some of the most beautiful
traditional Hawaiian songs and music by the World Famous MAKAHA SONS
on Saturday September 22nd at the Thomas Meehan Performance
Center in Stratham, NH at 7PM Tix are $25 and $30
or Call (603) 205-0784 or go to www.makahasons.com
See Poster below.
Happy Birthday to Hoku Nichols she turns 12 (teen) on The 7th and Happy
Birthday to Mackey V Fatello who turns 16 on the the 14th!
The
Landon Miller Fund through ANY Citizen Bank. Or send your
donation to:
The
Landon Miller Foundation
83 South Road
North Hampton, NH 03862
Click below
to see Danny Tribute or see Danny Surfing
Tribute to Danny. North By
Northeast
Remember
my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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