I had drawn number 95 and a good friend of mine had drawn number 96. We just figured that we would both be drafted and that maybe we could end up together. It was in the summer of 1972 when my mother showed up at my work with my draft notice. I can still remember the look on her face–she was scared to death. I had no chance at getting any kind of deferment (nor did my friend). I was going in the army. Meanwhile the war was winding down. I guess I was hoping not to end up in Vietnam. I called my friend to see how he was doing and was surprised to find out that he had not received his draft notice. I thought, well he will be going later and that was a bummer.
Shortly thereafter the phone started ringing from recruiters from other branches of the service. I entertained a few along with my parents. When the National Guard showed up to give their spiel, the recruiter looked right at my mother and told her that I would not have to leave the country, just do the basic training and AIT and should be back home in six to eight months then only a weekend a month and a summer camp once a year for the next six. She looked right at him and said he will be there in the morning to sign the papers. I looked over at my father to see if he had anything to say. He just nodded and I could tell by the relief on both of their faces that this was what I needed to do.
I joined the guard the next day and my friend never got his draft notice. I always wondered why. I heard somewhere later that the draft stopped at 95 that year–not sure if that is true.
[Editor’s note: The lottery drawing held on August 5, 1971 applied to men born in 1952, and established the order of call for 1972. The highest number called in 1972 was indeed 95].