Steve, Illinois, 1969. No. 020: After the Game

by | Feb 12, 2015 | Stories

I remember I was at KU and on the draft night I wanted to go to the KU basketball game–I did not miss a game. When I came back afterwards, I was told my number was 20, which was a real jolt for me because I knew with that number, I would be drafted. And it...

Don, Kansas, 1969. No. 109: Stage Presence

by | Feb 7, 2015 | Stories

I was at a Kansas-Wisconsin basketball game at the U. of Kansas the night of the lottery. One of the cheerleaders announced, "September 14, you’re number 1." When I got back to my apartment, I called my parents, and my tearful mother informed me that I...

Joseph, New York, 1969. No. 188: Truly Useless

by | Jan 29, 2015 | Stories

I remember watching the draft on TV in New York City. I’m not sure if I was at home or at college that day, but to me it was academic as I was in college with a student deferment until 1972.I graduated high school in 1967 and was considered an outcast as I was...

Steve, Texas, 1969. No. 039: How I Met My Wife

by | Jan 22, 2015 | Stories

I didn’t know it at the time, but having a low lottery number would enable me to meet and marry the most wonderful woman ever. I was a senior at the University of Kansas majoring in electrical engineering when my number of 39 was drawn.  I thought, oh xxxx!...

Steve, Nebraska, 1969. No. 190: Submitted Without Consent

by | Jan 21, 2015 | Stories

It was the year of the first lottery. I recall sitting around the television room at my fraternity house, drinking beer, and watching our futures unfold. Kind of scary. My number was fairly high but I felt badly for those in the room who had a low number drawn....