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April
29th, 2007
Charlie McMahon was a Lifeguard at Hampton Beach.
That's right. He hung out here every Summer. I know people who
knew him well. Oh, and he also surfed here. You know...that popular spot
called the Wall.
Why would I mention this today? Well, for starters, Today is the anniversary
of the day the last two Americans were killed in Vietnam.
On
April 29, 1975 Cpl. Charles McMahon (Massachusetts)
and Lcpl Darwin Judge were killed when 5 North Vietnamese Divisions
closed in on the final chapter of that long drawn out war. A direct hit
from a Rocket killed them both. The last two Americans out of the
58,000 who died there.
Charlie surfed The Wall.
The other reason I mention it is, today we also honored two men from Hampton
who were killed in Vietnam.
There were 8 men from Hampton who died in Vietnam.
Two of them, Bruce Brown in 1968 and Mark Brown
in 1969 were never recognized until today. Bruce Brown and
Mark Brown (no relation) were both heroes. I mean, they were bona
fide heroes. They were both awarded medals for bravery. The Silver
Star and the Bronze Star with a "V" device for
valor. We had a nice turnout for both men. I mentioned my late friend
Joe Somogyi who surfed here back in the day and was responsible
for naming a lot of the breaks we all surf today. I mentioned Joe
because he was in the same unit as Mark Brown. They were both in
the 5th Special Forces (Green Berets) who did some amazing things.
My son Max and I, were the only surfers present today
at both of these short dedications.
I mention all of this, because this past week, both the Congress
and the Senate voted to pull out of Iraq. The last time
we pulled out of a War was Vietnam. The results of us pulling out
of Vietnam was a total disaster for the South Vietnamese.
Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians were killed in South Vietnam
by the North Vietnamese 'after we left.' Hundreds
of thousands more, were put into Re-education camps where they
were tortured and abused for many years. Millions of people fled the
country (Boat people). And over two million people died
in Cambodia.
I'm not making this stuff up kids. It's in the history books. Read about
it. So what will happen if we pull out of Iraq?
Seriously, what will happen if we pull out of IRAQ? Well, I have
my own opinion. And it's just MY opinion. But I think it gets way worse
than what happened in Vietnam. Way worse. More people will die.
Way more people. The Mideast becomes way more unstable than it
is today. Iran and Syria will make their move and engulf
Iraq. And before you know it...all eyes will be on Israel.
Once that happens, all bets are off.
But this is just my opinion kids. Maybe none of that will happen. Maybe
if we pullout of Iraq, the Mideast will turn into this peace
loving region, where we can all go and surf in the deep blue Medirterranean
Sea and not worry about Terrorists and mayhem.
And maybe, those chocolate covered monkees you dream about, will finally
fly out of your butt. And maybe New England will suddenly
turn into a tropical state and we'll never have to wear wetsuits again...and
everything will be just the way we all want it to be. That could happen.
NOT!!!
My opinion is...be careful of what you wish for. And don't forget the
past...because if you do, you will be condemned to repeat it.
Chocolate covered monkees? I'm Sorry.
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Wait
I just heard the Patriots signed Randy Moss!!!! Is that
good news or bad news? H-m-m-m-m...well let me ask you this. Can Randy
Moss catch a football? Can Randy Moss Run? Will Bill
Belichick put up with his shenanigans?
You all know the answers to this. Yes, Yes and No.
Randy wants a ring. We want another Ring (cuz we's greedy). My
opinion (here I go again) is...Randy toes the line to get that
ring. In other words, we won't be seeing Randy moon the end zone
crowds. In fact, we won't see any of that childish BS. What we'll see
is another potent weapon for Tom Brady. And we all know who Brady's
favorite receiver is right....? Heck that's easy, Brady's favorite
receiver is.... the guy who's open.
They also drafted a safety from Miami. Brandon Meriweather
played for the Hurricanes and was involved in that infamous brawl
last season. He was seen on videotape head stomping some poor fool's
head in. Again...will Meriweather head stomp someone as a Patriot?
Gee I don't know...I guess you better ask Teddy Bruschi or Rodney
Harrison.
Hey guess what I missed a couple of weeks ago? My Ralph's Pic
Of The Week 4th anniversary. Hard to believe I've been writing
this column and posting photos for four years. I know I've pissed
a few of you off from time to time, but I also know I've connected with
a bunch of you. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Like
I've said many times in the past. The opinions on Ralph's Pic Of
The Week are mine. Me- Ralph. No one else.
Comprendo amigos?
Still four years...dam that's something. I started out with posting
one pic. Remember? Then it was a few. Then I added the yesterday
shots. Then I started to get so many photos from so many talented photographers,
that it almost became overwhelming. Hell, it became a job. It's not
unusual for me to post upwards of 30 or more photos. And these
photos are good too. No groveling 1' slop stuff. We're talking quality
work, and almost exclusive. I say almost, because some of the shots
get posted on our friends sites too. That's cool though. I'm happy with
the content we get.
And it's been fun writing the BS I write every week. And look, I'll
be the first to say, that some of the shit I write is...well...bullshit.
If I make a few of you laugh, and a few of you think about issues, then
I'm doing my job. And if I piss a few of you off, well that's all part
of it to. Look, I'm not Mr Rogers Neighborhood here. I call 'em
like I see 'em.
Don't forget. May 11-13 ESA-NNE Regional Surf Contest.
The Regionals are being hosted by the local branch of the
ESA...NNE (Northern New England) . Lenny Nichols and
Company ( the local boys and girls) are hosting this event right here
in Hampton. This is a must see surf contest. Some of those Jersey
and New York boys (and girls) can surf their asses off. Trust
me, it's worth seeing. This will all take place (hopefully if there's
surf) at the Wall...10th St. The show is coming to town. Check
it www.esa-nne.org
Happy Birthday May 2nd to Nohea Nichols!
Please
Remember The Danny Miller Foundation.
Donations for Late Surfer Danny Miller's young son can be made to
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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