Blog 3061 -03.18.2024

I Left My Heart In San Francisco

I spent a very long night in the San Francisco International Airport on January 5th, 1970. I had orders to report to Oakland Army Depot by noon on January 6th for processing to The Republic of South Vietnam. I had waited all night in the airport hoping to meet up with a buddy from Detroit, Michigan that I had spent ten months with at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Alas, I searched all those faces passing through the airport in vain. I did see him in line to be processed in Oakland the next day and ended up flying all the way to Vietnam with him. We both made it safe back home.

There were guys with vans offering soldiers a ride to Oakland Army Depot for eight bucks a piece and they promised a grand tour of the San Francisco on the way. We saw the cable cars, Berkeley University, Fisherman’s Warf, the Golden Gate Bridge, and several more attractions. The city impressed me and today’s song has always been a favorite of mine and though I spent only a few days in the San Francisco area on my way to Vietnam and a few hours on my way home, the city has a special place in my heart.

A more contemporary song about San Francisco about the time I was there said, “If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.” That was a more peaceful crowd than the rowdy group I was traveling with at the time, after eleven months in a combat zone I was ready to give peace a chance.

Twenty-two years later on a brief work trip I would spend a couple of days in New York City where I saw the sights there as well. There are some great songs about other cities as the intro to today’s song mentions. Coming home to the city you call home is always like reclaiming a piece of your heart.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5UGucaz8iwNdTdkSnBTUmdneTQ/view?usp=drivesdk&resourcekey=0-qEKLiBkRmzxAcTwX-kA3HA

I Left My Heart In San Francisco