On 29 November, 1969, I began my two years of service as a 2LT in the US Army Field Artillery. Two days later, the first draft lottery was conducted. My number was 253. I read about the lottery in the newspaper while I was at Fort Sill, OK. I just laughed about getting assigned a high number.
I always intended to serve my country and was not hoping for a way out anyway. I will always be disgusted by those of my generation who were too afraid and self-absorbed to serve our country. I am proud of my service and those I served with in an era when those who did serve were not so revered as those who serve in today’s military. God bless them all!