Steve, Kansas, 1969: At the Fieldhouse

I vividly remember being in Allen Fieldhouse, at a KU basketball game, sitting with friends in seats directly behind the basket (where we always sat), when I learned that my lottery number was sufficiently high that I could avoid going to war.  It was...

Cliff, Kansas, 1969. No. 179: Agony and Ecstasy

I was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon at KU when the initial draft lottery was held. Like a number of houses, we had a $5 pool amongst the members with the lowest draft number winning the pool. The chapter room was packed with guys as the draft pull began. Everyone was...

Carmelo, Kansas, 1969. No. 168: Temporary Sigh of Relief

I recall being very nervous before the lottery. My GPA was struggling at the time as I had just been dismissed for poor scholarship, and had to apply for probation status to continue for one more semester. My brother Charles and I were registered with Draft Board 100...

Bill, Kansas, 1969. No 008: The Difference A Day Makes

I was a sophomore at KU when the drawing was held, but having a student deferment kept me from dwelling on the reality of the situation.  As 1971 was nearing its end, I had accepted my certain fate and had even signed up to get the physical (just in case I...

Peter, Kansas, 1968. Year of Reckoning

My year of reckoning was 1968. I had already decided to volunteer for Navy flight but after acing the written test was told I didn’t pass their physical. I had no interest in being a swabby or being in the Air Force (bad uniforms) and the Marines were a little...

Steve, Kansas, 1969. No. 204: The Determinator

I felt relatively comfortable with 204 until I received my "Pre-Induction" notice to report for the physical examination (PE). Impending doom fell over me, for I then believed that the Selective Service forecasters presumed I would be drafted. I had 100...