by Anne in Comments

I lived in the SFO area and worked in the travel business from 1964 to 1978. I remember well both PSA and Air California. My mom lived in Orange County so I had multiple trips “down south” on both carriers. Was thrilled to death when Orange County Airport opened!

I was at Oakland airport when some boys came home and the entitled hippies of Berkeley met them with spit and nasty name calling.

But, mostly what I remember were those days in the fall of 1967 or Spring 1968. The days were crisp and clear–the light was so beautiful! I remember going up and down Knob Hill and seeing all those young men dressed in new uniforms. I remember mostly the sun shining off of those metal parts of their hats or coats. Stars and bars shimmered like gold. Us young travel professionals often had to be in the downtown Union square area for business. We would then take a quick run up to the “Top of the Mark” bar as would many of the higher ranking soldiers. You know the kids who had gotten some education and some rank from the military. OMG–how I remember that sunlight, those uncertain eyes, and tentative smiles of not real bravado! There were so many new uniforms in that city on those days!