I was part of the first every lottery, December 1, 1969, if I recall correctly. I was a freshman at UCLA, and had just rushed for Sigma Chi fraternity, Delta Eta chapter. On that night (I seem to recall a Sunday evening), all the brothers in the house gathered as we were all in the same situation. My big brother, Joe I., drew a number around 30 or so. I worried he would be sent to Vietnam. I am not sure, but I do not think he was drafted or if he was that he went to Vietnam. I was fortunate, drawing a number above 300. Given the status of the war, anyone with a number that high was undoubtedly "safe". I had not thought about it for many years when I read Scott Turow’s novel, The Law of Our Fathers, which speaks of the first ever lottery.
