In California: Out of Mothballs

Out in the sea of people on San Francisco's piers 30-32, Dave Graham in his windbreaker resembled a small blue buoy. As BB-63 slowly eased to a berth, Graham was moving his arms briskly and systematically as if conducting an orchestra. Four stories up on the ship's signal deck, Chief Signalman Mike Kennedy took note. While others ogled the U.S.O. dancers on the dock, he broke out a small pair of blue and white pennants, known as papa flags, and returned to the rail. In his hands, the flags began to speak back. Before the final lines were secure, Kennedy had...

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