John, Georgia, 1969. No. 058: Reserved Spot In The Guard

by | Mar 4, 2013 | Stories

I had a date the night of the lottery and we went to the Beechwood Cinema for a show. We left after the movie was over and went to a friend’s apartment close by. All there were watching the lottery drawing with bated breath! Eventually everyone but me had...

Carl, N.C., 1969. No. 021: Look At The List And Pick One

by | Mar 3, 2013 | Stories

I was a Senior majoring in wildlife management at the University of Georgia.  I lived in Tucker Hall, a dormitory consisting mainly of Agricultural and Forestry students.  The evening of the lottery, everyone was crowded around a radio.  There must have...

Steve, Pennsylvania, 1969. No. 364: No Ticket Needed

by | Feb 23, 2013 | Stories

Not being much of a gambler, I’ve never bought a lottery ticket of any sort over the years.  However, the draft lottery was not something which I could choose not to participate in.  I was in my sophomore year in college when the lottery was conducted....

Gary, Maryland, 1969. No. 253: Two Days Before

by | Feb 14, 2013 | Stories

On 29 November, 1969, I began my two years of service as a 2LT in the US Army Field Artillery.  Two days later, the first draft lottery was conducted. My number was 253. I read about the lottery in the newspaper while I was at Fort Sill, OK. I just laughed about...

Stephens, Georgia, 1969. No. 052: No Volunteering

by | Feb 11, 2013 | Stories

I was in my senior year at the University of Georgia. All of the officer candidate schools were full (except the Marine Corps). I took the test for the Marine Corps Officers Candidate School and was accepted almost immediately. Of course, the mortality rate for a...