The 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Tom Brady the most winning QB of all time with 201 wins, and the start of the Holiday Season.

I hope you guys don't mind if I blog about some important non surf related subjects. One is about War and the other is about sports. I know there are a couple of you who find the military and the history of our country boring. Truth is, I don't really care what you think. If you direct your attention to the banner at the top of this page, it clearly says:, "Ralph's Pic Of The Week" and, you will also notice the RBI warning. So if this kind of blogging bores you, or you are offended by it, simply scroll down and look at the pictures. Lord knows there's plenty of them.



OK. December 7th, 1941 was an important day in our history.

It was the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and killed over 2,000 sailors, Marines, and Army personnel, along with a few hundred civilians.
This week on December 7th, 2016 will mark the 75th anniversary.



The USS Arizona back on that fateful day. And The Arizona memorial today.



My late parents and uncles and aunts were all affected by this day. I'm sure there are some of you who feel the same. No one who was around at that time could ever forget that day. It was for all of you Millennials, the "First 9-11". It was a shocking, terrifying, numbing day for our country. And in the end, it would cost the US over 400,000 lives in defeating the empire of Japan. Four years, 400,000 lives. Over 670,000 wounded. That's a lot of people.

You hear many speak of the Greatest Generation. And make no mistake about it. They were. They all stopped what they were doing in their lives and volunteered by the hundreds of thousands. December 7th was that big of a deal. I'm sure some of you older readers have had relatives or friends that served in WWII. All of my uncles served. I have known so many of these humble warriors in my lifetime, but there is one that you need to know about.

Francis (Frank) Grondin (Kevin Grondin's father) will turn 94 on December 7th. Young Frank Grondin was 19years old on that day the world changed.
Talk about an awful day to have on your birthday. Frank Grondin knew his life had changed on that fateful Sunday halfway around the world.

I know a lot of you know the Grondins. Kevin and Kim and Leah and Kody are all well known on the seacoast. But Frank is just a quiet humble man. He joined the Army and shipped out to Europe to fight the Germans. And fight he did. He was wounded in combat where he lost two fingers and was hit with shrapnel in his legs. The story of that battle is haunting to hear. Suffice it to say, it's a miracle that he survived that battle, and the war.

Recently Frank had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial. If you have been there, you know how powerful that memorial park is. For Frank, this was a cleansing of his soul. His thoughtful, loving, and nurturing daughter in law Kim Grondin, accompanied Frank during this amazing life changing trip.



Here's Frank at the Memorial. Frank is an amazing man with an incredible life story. The war is only a part of his story. But it is an important part.



Here is Frank pointing to the engraving of the battle that he lost his fingers at.



A proud New Hampshire native. Not to get morbid here, but stop and think about how all of our lives would of changed if one of our relatives were killed in WWII. Imagine if Frank had been killed. There would be no Kevin and Kim. There would be no Leah and Kody. Our surf community would be vastly different without the Grondins.

Think about that on Wednesday when we honor and remember the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Today Tom Brady surpassed every other QB in the NFL with 201 Wins.



That is simply amazing. And it all started 15 years ago. 201 wins by beating the Rams today 26 to 10. He beats Manning who has 200 wins. My guess is he'll get a few more this year and who knows how many more in the years to come. History was made today.

An Update on this wonderful Fund Raiser from Brian Nevins.
"We surpassed the goal by thousands. So humbled and grateful. It was pretty awesome to watch everyone become part of their story. Never wanted to do that until I knew this would make a viable difference, and this most certainly will. Thank you all."



Wendy and her brothers now has a fighting chance thanks to you all

"Surfing, Remembering Pearl Harbor, The Snow Bowl, and Helping Wendy, Heals All Wounds"

This might be Matt Colby. Then again, it might not be. This was taken 5 years ago at the Wall on December 1st, 2011. Ironically, the December 1st, 2016 gallery is pretty impressive if I do say so myself.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
The TRUMP train is rolling along. His pick for Secretary Of Defense is an interesting choice. Look, we are at war. ISIS is not going away. If we are to fight them, we need someone who understands what fighting is all about.



And this man knows all about fighting. General Mad Dog Mattis.



Maybe the bad guys are now paying attention. They should be..

KSM Photoshop of the Week
This is shocking. The prisoners at GITMO wanted to have a meet Santa and Mrs Claus for the Prisoner's kids. And much to the surprise of everyone, KSM volunteered. On one condition. That he be allowed to drink Goat's milk.



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 Goat hides at Home Depot this week.

Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR! 75th Anniversary.
CONGRATS TO GARY SMITH after serving in the USAF for 31 Years. I can't tell you how proud we are of Gary. A local surfer who really did something with his life. Look for a full story next week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Frank Grondin December 7th, 2016!
HAPPY 15th Anniversary NE Patriots on the Snow-bowl game!



ESA-NNE with Surfs Up of Nasuha  are having a contest at their wave pool Dec. 10th,  7am sign ups.  Billabong prizes,  Rob Kelly and Sam Hammer judging . Non-Esa members   Please contact Lenny Nichols for entry process   603-944-2418



Check this out below. It's an interesting study on water quality.



Click on this image to read the whole report.

Look who got added to the ESM Senior photographer's list.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Mikey Evans on a nice beefy right . December 1st, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Rocket speed off the incoming section. Mikey Evans of one of
his own crafts. December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I count four empty peaks. December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) You never know what's behind the wave you paddle over.
December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Sorry there's so many empty waves. December 1st, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Use your imagination. December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Kody Grondin dropping into a wind blown bowl.
December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The afternoon session was darker and windier.
December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) But just as pretty as the morning sesh. December 1st, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) MVF holding on for the perfect landing. December 1st, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby whipping that stick around. December 1st, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Where I've been. December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Weston Rogers punting one for the extra point. December 1st, 2016 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Last Sunday's Waves. November 27th, 2016.
Photos by Cory Fatello



(Above) Though the surf was fading, the colors were just starting to come on.
November 27th, 2016 Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) When the sun hits the Shoals in that late afternoon glow, it's a special time to be sitting out there. November 27th, 2016 Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Annual Christmas parade in Hampton, NH December 3rd, 2016. Photos by Ralph & Cory Fatello



(Above) I think they got these two mixed up. Santa is looking a little gaunt while the Mrs is looking like she spent some time on the North Pole. He needs to be eating more of Mrs Claus's pies. December 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery