by | Apr 21, 2008 | Stories
I lived in Avery dorm and on the night of the drawing the 6’10" center of the basketabll team was crowing after the basketball game that he had number 1–but of course his height exempted him from service. 208 was my dorm room number and draft...
by | Apr 14, 2008 | Stories
My number was 325. I was planning on going to medical school, but that deferment extended eligibility so the army could draft you as a physician until age 36. Although the high number provided safety, it also inspired me. I applied for and was granted I-O...
by | Apr 13, 2008 | Stories
1969-1970 was my senior year in college. I remember watching the first draft lottery on the TV that some guys had across the hall from my room in Old East dormitory; the same TV had informed us of the events at Kent State only weeks before. The lottery was held on my...
by | Apr 10, 2008 | Stories
I remember the draft lottery well. One of the first things I’d done freshman year (1968) was to visit a draft counselor, to see what I could do to insulate myself from selection. I had no idea my natural bad luck at cards and prize drawings was all I...
by | Apr 9, 2008 | Stories
Subsequent generations will no doubt have difficulty understanding the anxiety we felt that night, when 366 numbers were drawn that, in many cases, would determine our fates, including even whether we could expect to see our 25th birthday. Like the early Mercury...
by | Apr 9, 2008 | Stories
There were three reasons to get drunk that night:1. Your number was higher than 175 and you were safe from the draft,2. Your number was lower than 135 and you were going to be drafted, or3. Your number was between 135 and 175 and nothing at all was concluded by the...
