When the number was called, my mom freaked out. My older sister fell apart. Having just turned 18, I wasn’t sure what the fuss was all about. Then a friend told me. OMG I thought, I’m gone for sure. I got the letter telling me to report to St. Louis for a draft physical. I remember being scared and looking at the faces of other scared young men. I was 4-F’d due to a curvature of my spine. At the time I was relieved and went to college and lived my life. I have often looked back and somehow felt I cheated all those who didn’t come back.
