Tom always likes to tell people he won the lottery.
He can still tell you his lucky number
. It was 295.
Those of you who are old enough to remember Viet Nam know what he means.
For the rest of you...
they drew the birth dates of every young man who was 18.
365 dates
A low number meant you were drafted.
The higher the number, the better your chances.
Tom watched it tensely on tv with his mom.
"I don't' care what number you get, you're not going,"she exclaimed, "I have already sent two sons to this war and one came home shot."
Tom looked at her through his long blonde hair"well, Mom, should I go to Canada?"
"no"she vowed"I'll write you a note".
Can you see my 18 year old hippie future husband coming up to the draft board with a note in his hand...
"Please excuse my son from this war."?
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12 comments:
Oh man, you are really on a roll tonight!!! LOL!
My hubby too was at the tale end of that disaster...I lost many a friend during those years, all too young, never having lived life at all - this war has me feeling the same way. I can understand why his Mom felt that way, but the note thing is darn funny....love, Sandi
I remember being oh so thankful when Pete passed that majic age where he wouldn't be in the draft pool. Of course there was no Vietnam or anything then. But I still didn't want him "having" to go. I think it is oh so much better when it is a choice to serve. As far as i know no exclusions are made for number of sons serving from one family. But I do know they make every effort not to put them in the same units so as to try to avoid multiple losses to one family at the same time. - Barbara
I can imagine the fear in one's heart during that time. My dad was already in the service (USAF) at the time, and volunteered. He had seven kids and he volunteered. I don't know why he did that. I have my theories. He came back. Changed. Would like to ask my mother that question one day. Why? bea
LOL that would be funny, but I don't think they'd buy it.
Take care and Hugs, Chrissie
LOL... I am glad they didn't get to Tom's #... 2 sons was enough for his family... for sure.
be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
Good for Mom!!
Russ
As he may love and not........ Love, Mom
Katie
I shall do the same if I don't like where the Royal Navy plan to send my son!
Linda.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindaggeorge/GeorgeMansions/
My God, that's funny. My brother tried to say that he was the sole support of my mother. Considering Mom worked, it didn't go over well.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay
My number was 311. They told me the only way they would call me up was in case of nuclear war. I took ROTC in college just to be on the safe side. Just the first two years... the third year they wanted me to sign a contract and I knew that meant a trip to Nam promptly on graduation. I didn't sign.
Sam
That is so funny! I bet she would have written it, too!
Lori
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