Michael, California, 1969. No Cap, No Gown

by | Mar 23, 2009 | Stories

I had previously completed my military service (USNR 1957 – 1963) and was thus not eligible for the Draft in 1970. But at our UCLA graduation ceremony in June of that year, our entire class refused to wear caps & gowns as an expression of solidarity with the...

Frank, Alabama, 1969. No. 57: The Three Ironies

by | Mar 22, 2009 | Stories

My story has a series of ironic twists.I was in ROTC while in college. The first irony of the lottery, as I remember it, was that it was being held after I had to commit to the final two years of ROTC training. It was a gamble, but I chose to go with the ROTC option....

Pat, California, 1969. Saddest Times

by | Mar 16, 2009 | Stories

I was a student at UCLA when the lottery numbers were coming up. I was not affected for I had enlisted in 1966, US Army Airborne, Special Forces. I served in Viet Nam as a Green Beret. My saddest times were when I was discharged and basically spit on by several...

David, California, 1969. No. 299: Coffee And No-Doz

by | Mar 15, 2009 | Stories

Before the lottery, I visited a UCLA attorney to get counseling on how to deal with the draft board. I had already been scheduled for a physical exam in downtown L.A.  I showed up with what seemed like hundreds of other guys. We were divided up into small groups...

Richard, California, 1969. No. 303: Relief And Remorse

by | Mar 15, 2009 | Stories

I recall my father-in-law to-be stating that he would assist me and my fiancee/girlfriend to flee to Canada rather than be drafted.  At the time this astounded me, as I had previously thought of him as a fairly conservative guy.  Naturalized Italian...