When November 3rd was pulled out in the lottery drawing, my life changed immediately. My birthday corresponded to number 348 in the draft which meant there was little chance I would be going to Vietnam.
I was married and teaching school at the time. I immediately moved my draft classification to I-A and sat out the year at that spot until I was moved to IV-A. I began work on a Master’s Degree and we started a family. I was never even called for a physical. Needless to say, I probably would have never finished a Master’s or a Doctorate degree if my number had been lower, or had a wonderful family with three sons. I knew that if I was drafted at 348, then everyone would probably go. Drawing that number allowed me to chart a different course for me and my family.