NEXT BLOG September 27th, 2026.
All future Blogs will be posted on the 1st and 3rd week of every month (give or take a day or two). *Also in the event of any significant swell I will post the week of that swell. Although the blog is now bi-weekly, I'm certainly not gonna pass up a decent swell. So while it's basically going to be every other week, I left it open for some wiggle room.
THE 34th ANNUAL SURF FAMILY ROBINSON. THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF 9-11. THE 20th ANNIVERSAY OF OUR
OWN GWOT MONUMENT HERE IN HAMPTON.
WE REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11th, 2026. TWENTY FIVE YEARS.
Ralph, Markey, Tony, Johnny. Kalani, and Lenny. The group of local surfers who meet at this same spot for the last 25 years. This was Kalani and Lenny's first time meeting here. It's usually just Me, Markey, Tony, and Johnny. And the gathering has ebbed and flowed in the last 25 years. But the core four of us has remained. We made a pact on 9-11-01 that we would continue to meet here as long as we live.
So if you were out surfing that day in NH please join us next 9-11-27. We meet at 8:30AM to acknowledge the exact time the first plane hit. 8:46 AM we do a moment of silence. Then we do it again at 9:03 AM to remember the time the second plane hit. I was thinking the other day, we really should acknowledge the Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania where Flt 93 hit. I mean if we're going to Remember 9-11 we should remember it all.
THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR GWOT MONUMENT
This is a photo of the Thank You Card I made after our first unveiling.
Jean Durgin the mother of Russell Durgin, brought this with her the other night at our annual 9-11/GWOT observance at our American Legion Post 35 here in Hampton. The ironic thing is I was actually looking for this same card earlier in the day and couldn't find it. I needed to reference something in my speech. I couldn't believe it when Jean showed it to me.
Friday September 11th, 2026. Me and Jean Durgin.
Both photos by Martha Lardent.
This iconic photo was taken on September 11th, 2011. The photographer was Pam Bates.
I know you can all see the cross caused by the sun in this photo. I have a friend who is always telling me that there are no such things as coincidences. I mean this photo on this day? And the story above about me looking for that same printed piece during the day and being so frustrated with myself because I couldn't find it.
Only to be beyond pleasantly surprised that Jean Durgin brought that same piece that I was looking for to show me. Coincidence? Nope. Not even close. I was stunned when she showed it to me. And I told her about my frustration in not being able to find it earlier in the day.
I am truly blessed to have the close family I have. The Rizzos and the LaBrecks came to see and hear Gramps speak. My son Max was there too. And of course my wife Cory.
Thank you Lord for blessing me.
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Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys.
He was a close and dear friend of mine.
When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers.
Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.
ED'S CORNER September 13th, 2026
This was taken on Max's birthday in 2013. I remember this session like it was yesterday. When I told Ed that it was Mackey's birthday, he hung around waiting to get a decent pic of him. Today September 14th, 2026 Max is turning 35. I can't believe he's 35. Married with a baby boy.
His life is heading down the right path. We are blessed with all of our children and their spouses and we just adore all of our grandchildren. Thanks Ed for capturing this photo. I so wish you were still here.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.
DON'T EVER BUY A F-ING MONKEY
The autobiography by Ralph G. Fatello
Surfing, Rock and Roll, the Marines, and my everyday life with my family and friends, that has had it's shares of twists and turns in some of the most peculiar ways. And those who wrote on the back cover all know me very well.
I love them all. *Click the book cover below to read the testimonials from some of my dearest friends.
The book is currently available in soft cover, hardcover, and e-book on AMAZON. Just go to AMAZON and type in my name in the search bar or type in the title of the book. The book is also on INGRAM SPARK Books
The audio book is coming soon. I've had several friends and family members insist that I do the reading myself.
They all say that when I tell my stories with my own voice it adds both cred and impact. I guess, I'm a good story teller. Besides with all my recording experience I should be able to read through my own book. Hell, if I can sing my own lyrics I can certainly read my own stories.
*Click on the image above to buy the book on Amazon
Looks like I'm doing my second book signing for the local Seacoast friends who missed the first one. This one is indoors at the Lane Library in Hampton. Thursday September 17th, 2026 from 6:00PM to 7:00PM (one hour). I'll have books for sale or if you already own one come down and I'll sign it for you.
Hope to see a few of you there.
*Click on the image above to see a larger version
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MY SPEECH AT THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF 9-11
AND THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF OUT GWOT MONUMENT.
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM 9-11-26
Ralph G. Fatello
Thank you Commander Bennett, Commander Crossley, Senator Hassan, Governor Ayotte, Pastor Lewis, my fellow Veterans, Gold Star Families, ladies and gentlemen.
Like everyone else who remembers 9-11, I can not look at a single image, or video clip of that day, and not be reminded of the horror that unfolded that morning. 25 years later, and it still has the same effect. Just gut-wrenching, shocking images, of unspeakable horror. The courageous firefighters and police in NYC rushing into those burning towers to save total strangers. The military personnel trying to save their fellow comrades at the Pentagon. And finally, those brave civilians on Flt 93, in Pennsylvania who ultimately saved the Capitol, or the White House from being hit.
Can you imagine if that had happened? My God.
And as bad as those images were, I had a deeper knot in my stomach. Because I knew that our military had just entered a war that was as significant as WWII. The attacks on 9-11 were like a modern-day Pearl Harbor. Only worse. Pearl Harbor was a military base. The attacks on 9-11 were straight out evil. This was a darkness we had never seen before. Like so many of my fellow veterans, I felt helpless. But I also felt a sense of duty and a desire to do something. But what could we do?
As the newly elected Commander to Post 35, I was suddenly faced with something that was way beyond what I thought I would be dealing with as a local American Legion Post Commander.
I remember a time back in the 70’s I asked my father what it was like after the attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. He told me how he and his three brothers all stopped what they were doing and enlisted. It was a widespread movement across the country. They all raised their hands to take the oath to defend our nation. And by doing that, they saved the world. Ironically, we all witnessed that same patriotic groundswell after 9-11. So many Americans stopped what they were doing to enlist in the military. To seek revenge on whoever did these cowardly attacks. And they too, saved the world.
Meanwhile the local losses from 9-11 really hit home.
I remember Bob Hayes, a local Hampton surfer who I had spoken with shortly before 9-11. Bob had two young sons that he and his wife Deb were raising. I remember telling him how wonderful it is to surf with your kids. “There’s no better feeling Bob, sharing waves with your kids.” His eyes lit up when I described what it was like. You could tell he was really looking forward to experiencing what I was living, by surfing with my kids.
Bob was on Flight 11 out of Boston that morning. Just off the coast of New England were perfect waves pouring onto our beaches from Hurricane Erin. I have no doubt that Bob saw those waves that morning as the plane flew over the ocean. I like to think he dreamed of surfing waves just like those waves from Hurricane Erin with his two sons in the future. Bob was a great guy and he is so missed.
Then the local military casualties started come in.
2nd LT Matthew Coutu USA from North Hampton was KIA in IRAQ on June 27th, 2005. Members of Post 35 attended his funeral service.
Then Senior Chief Petty Officer Dan Healey a NAVY SEAL from Exeter was KIA on June 28th, 2005, in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings. Post 35 held a memorial service in Rye NH that was well attended.
It was shortly after these losses, that Joe Kutt and a few others brought up an idea of doing a small monument for them somewhere on the seacoast.
Then on October 17th, 2005, my family suffered a tremendous loss. The bravest man I ever met in my life, my wife’s father, my father-in-law, our kids “Grampy” Gerald P. Bunton died of a massive heart attack. He was 64 years old. Jerry was involved in some of the most dangerous covert missions in the GWOT. He served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and in Pakistan when he was on the phone with my wife Cory when the twin towers fell. They both wept openly.
Suffice it to say, we were crushed by his passing.
We put the monument for Healey and Coutu on hold until after I returned from the Memorial service for my father-in-law in Washington DC in January of 2006. My family learned so many things about what Jerry did in GWOT at his memorial service. He was an unsung hero. After his service, I took my son Max over to the mall to show him the Vietnam War Memorial. I looked up the names of five of my friends whose names are on that Black wall.
While we were there, I met a fellow Vietnam vet who was there with his son. He was doing the same as I was doing. Showing his son the names of his friends. I couldn’t help but notice that his son had this involuntary twitch in his neck. He was wounded in Ramadi in Iraq and was a patient at Walter Reed hospital. He couldn’t control his neck twitching. We chatted for a while and then we said goodbye.
After showing Max the names of my friends, we made rubbings of their names and then we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial. Standing at the top of the stairs overlooking the mall, we could see the WWII Memorial, the Korean War memorial and the Vietnam war memorial. Then I looked and saw the same father and son we just met walking up the stairs towards us. It was at that very moment, when I had a vision. As they got closer to us, I spoke: “You know, in the future, they will have a Memorial Monument for the GWOT veterans that will be as big and significant as all of these Memorials.” The father looked at me and said, “I hope you’re right.”
“Oh, I’m right alright. I can see it clear as day. They will have something for you guys. Mark my words. It will happen.”
And with that, I came home to Hampton and told the members at our January meeting, about the encounter I had with that father and son. And then I proposed that we forgo the memorial for Healey and Coutu, and instead, make a Memorial for all the fallen from the state of NH who have been killed since 9-11-01 in chronological order.
It was unanimous. Everyone was on-board. The GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM Monument concept was conceived at our January 2006 meeting. Because I am a graphic designer by trade, I quickly made up some rough designs for the monument. Before long, we narrowed it down to one design. I added the line “Greater Love Has No One Than this, That He Lay Down His Life For His Fellow Comrade.” And then we picked a date for the unveiling.
September 11th, 2006. Five years after 9-11.
And we all decided that every September 11th, going forward, we would add the new names of those who we lost that previous year. Unbeknown to us at that time, American Legion Post 35, was making history.
The wheels were in motion.
With a finished promo design on paper, we started to solicit donations. And who better than our own Past Commander Joe Kutt to go after some of his biggest customers with his unique “Joe” way of talking to people, he started landing huge donations. There was a ground swell of support throughout the seacoast and beyond. The whole community was with us.
It was such a positive feeling at a time when we were embroiled in this new war.
Meanwhile, CSM John Barvenik USA Vietnam veteran along with SSGT George Masten USMC Vietnam vet headed up the work party. Both John and George were purple heart recipients. Jimmy Cushman and Arny Plastridge were also heavily involved in getting the ground ready for the placement of the monument. With Jimmy’s local knowledge he was able to get several businesses to donate their time and expertise in putting the monument in place.
I was amazed at how they all coordinated the landscaping and “grunt work” of getting ready for the monument.
John and George really took this to heart.
I could see that they looked at these young men whose names would appear on the wall as a memory of the men they lost in Vietnam. In fact, I labeled John and George as “The Keepers of the Stone.” God forbid if I, or anyone else walked on the newly seeded grass, or made a simple suggestion. They would snap at you like a pit bull. No, it was best that you let the Keepers of The Stone alone.
But honestly, every single member of the Post in 2006 helped make this monument a reality. Butch and Helen Kranz, Paul and Pam Fitzgerald, Jenn Kutt, the late Warren White and Paul Lessard. Because I have always admired Jan Scruggs, the Vietnam Veteran who came up with the concept of The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC I chose the same font that was used on the Wall for our monument. That font is called Government.
I have to say though, the most difficult time for me was writing to the families of the Fallen. I never did anything like that before. In Vietnam when one of our Marines were killed in action, it was the Platoon Commander or the Company Commander who wrote to the families. I was just a L/Cpl squad leader. I never had to do that. But here I was, writing to you all about your sons, husbands, brothers, uncles, and cousins. I knew no matter what I was feeling, it would pale in comparison to what you all went through. So, I went into Commander mode and tried to come off as a sincere and compassionate veteran. And I hoped for the best.
But something happened. You all responded. And when we met in person something else happened. We had a real connection. You knew that we were doing this monument for you. The families of the Fallen. It was always about the families. And in a subtle but genuine way, we became family. The Healy family, the Soras, the Congers, Jean Durgin, the Hardy family, the Lo family and all of the rest. We were doing this for your loved ones, and for you.
The first GWOT 9-11 Observance on 9-11-06 was one for the ages. Color guards from Troop 177, WHS MCJROTC, HFD, and HPD. The Marine Corps League Firing Squad. With Senator Judd Gregg, Governor John Lynch, and our guest speaker Col Tim Bailey USMC Afghanistan vet who was awarded the Bronze Star. We exceeded all of our expectations. And in doing so, we set the bar for the next 20 years.
And the year we decided to do the large banner with all your loved ones’ faces. I was faced with the task of putting that together. I can’t tell you how many times over the years I would look into the eyes of your loved ones staring back at me.
Some of them were smiling, some of them had their warrior faces, some had the look of peace and calmness. But each one staring back at me gave me the motivation I needed to make this banner right.
Because, it was for all of you. The families.
Over the years we had to add two new stones. The surge in 2007 in both Afghanistan and Iraq resulted in so many casualties. Then things slowed down. And as a result, there were spaces on both stones. So, I added the Old Man of the Mountain on the west side stone and the Lady of the Sea on the East side stone. And the late Beverly Barvenik wife of CSM John Barvenik added these benches one year. The HFD started to hang the large Garrison flag over the monument. Unfortunately the ladder truck is being serviced but I have no doubt she’ll be back next year bigger and better than ever.
We lost so many members of Post 35 who were there from the beginning. George, Warren, Jimmy, Roger, the Colonel, and Donnie. And so many more. They all worked and supported the GWOT monument mission.
The criteria for the monument have changed slightly since I left and CDR Bennett took over. The casualties of war are many. Some wounds are clearly visible. Others are not. PTS is real. The darkness and suffocating depression can be just as devastating as the physical wounds of war. 17 veterans commit suicide every single day. 17 every single day. Clearly, they are casualties of war.
In fact, here’s a staggering figure for you. 58,220 Americans died in Vietnam. Guess how many Vietnam veterans have died from Agent Orange? 300,000. I had to Google that several times. 300,000 Vietnam vets have died from Agent Orange. Those 300,000 were killed in Vietnam, they just didn’t know it.
In closing, I was asked by a local reporter 20 years ago tonight.
“Ralph, what are you going to do when the GWOT is over?”
My answer back then is the same answer today.
“There are terrorists that haven’t been born yet, that our grandchildren will be fighting in the future. We must remain vigil 24-7.”
I can also tell you this. Our promise 20 years ago when I was Commander, is the same promise under Commander Bennett tonight.
And that is, we will never forget the sacrifices of your loved ones. And we won’t ever forget your own personal sacrifices.
One last footnote. *The concept and formal effort for a National Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington DC began in 2015. It was unveiled on June 10th, 2026, and it will be built and dedicated in 2028.
20 years ago, tonight, American Legion Post 35 of the Hamptons, was the FIRST GWOT MONUMENT IN THE ENTIRE NATION.
Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. May God bless each and every one of you, and May God Bless America.
"SURFING and REMEMBERING 9-11 HEALS ALL WOUNDS."
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PIRATE JONAS TURNS 35 ON 9-14-26
My son Max Vincent holding his young son Vince at the annual SURF FAMILY ROBINSON party. Not many kids can claim to have a Pirate for a father. Mackey was a year old when I first started SURF FAMILY ROBINSON. Now here he is with his
own son. I'm not sure how we are going to pull off the Pirate Battle in the future with little Vince in attendance. But that's a few years down the road.
Though it's gonna be tricky. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it. But man can you imagine little Vincenzo watching his Gramps fighting a pirate that ended up being his father! This is like a Star Wars movie. When Luke finds out his father is Darth Vader. Damn. That's some heavy shit.
NOW FOR SOMETHING NOT SO HEAVY
This is a candid photo of me and my wife Cory walking on the beach. Duffy McCarthy took the photo on Labor Day September 7th, 2026. If you look closely, you will see that we are holding hands. Truth is, we have been holding hands on the beaches of the world since 1984. I can't imagine not holding her hand as we walk on the beach.
One year we were walking along our favorite beach here in Hampton, NH when a mutual friend stumbled into us.
She looked at us and said "Oh my God. You still hold hands?"
We laughed and said "Yes. We still hold hands."
I plan on holding Cory's hand forever.
(Above) Before we brought Max home from the hospital, we stopped by the Wall. I wanted Max to smell the ocean, to hear the waves, and to take it all in. Because this is where he was going to spend th better part of his life. Just like his two sisters.
HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY MACKERY V!
ATTENTION ALL SEACOAST RESIDENTS
RETIRED USAF Colonel Jeff Barker and current member of AMERICAN LEGION POST 35 has started this new service for local Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, and Seabrook veterans. Scan this bar code with your phone camera or any QR reader app. Or use major credit cards.
Jeff is a great guy and he and his wife are wanting to do something positive for all the seacoast Veterans. Now you can too. Click on the Bar code to be one of dozens of Seacoast residents to help local veterans.
Every 9-11 I think about what this man did. I'm not sure how many of you are actually aware of what he did. But if you don't? This is a good time to know. Khalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM) was the actual mastermind behind 9-11. It was his concept to fly airplanes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the Capitol.
That might need repeating.
KSM was the individual who came up with the most evil of all plans to attack America. He joined forces with Al Qeada and Osama Bin Laden. And it was his devious idea to train terrorists
to learn how to fly jet airliners. Not how to land them. But how to actually fly them. He was never going to spend any time and money on the selected group of terrorists to learn how to land these big jets.
Though that might have been a warning flag to the instructors who actually taught them how to pilot a big jet airliner.
But they literally flew under the radar, posing as Middle Eastern pilots learning how to fly jet airliners in the Middle East. I always felt terrible about the guilt the instructors had to deal with after 9-11. They must have felt sick to their stomachs. In fact, I'm sure some of them walked away from their jobs. The horror and guilt must have been overwhelming.
So instead of a comical KSM Blog this week, I'm simply showing the original photo that was taken on the day he was captured. And to give a nod of appreciation to that brave CIA agent who captured him. And ultimately saved so many lives by the info they got off of KSM's computers. The world will never know what those brave agents did that day. God bless them all.
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 pickup a case old ANIMAL HOUSE VHS tapes starring John Belushi at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesse Rose September 13th, 2026!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Max Fatello September 14th, 2026!
GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL SOON Local Legend Peter Stokes!
KEEP FIGHTING John "HOG" Hannah!
GET WELL SOON Chris Caisey!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
REST IN PEACE Sky Rosa 33yrs.
REST IN PEACE Dolly Parton 80yrs.
REST IN PEACE Tim Curry 80yrs.
REST IN PEACE Gloria Steinem 92yrs.
Please keep LOCAL SURF LEGEND Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS."
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