VICTORY WALK

MY GRANDFATHER, George Charles Barger, was 21 years old in 1945 and awaiting transport to the Pacific at Naval Station Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. On V-J Day on August 15, 1945, he and his shipmate had taken to the streets of San Francisco. My grandfather told me that they weren’t necessarily even in the mood to celebrate; they were just unbelievably relieved.

As the two young sailors floated through the city on good vibes, they turned the corner from iconic Mason Street; they walked, talked, and rejoiced until they reached