GREETINGS... YOU'RE DRAFTED
Y
es, yesterday was an anniversary of sorts for me. What 17 or 18 year old teenager waited for the postman to deliver that letter to end all letters. I remember the day well and I didn't even have to open the letter from the U.S. Selective Service board. My parents were seated in the living room pretending to watch TV as I picked up the envelope.
Forty-one years ago yesterday I avoided the draft. I didn't have the money to head for Canada, so I did the next best thing... I joined the Navy. Little did I know how people could change in an instant. The officer politely escorted us into a room where we raised our right hands and swore allegiance to the U.S. No sooner was my hand down and it started... from that moment on, the next 4 years would never be my life again. The first thing I remember being told, "If the Navy wanted to have your mother with you, the Navy would have issued you a mother. If the Navy wanted to issue you a girlfriend they would have issued you one...
I can remember someone telling me way back then... Years from now you'll only remember the good times. BALONEY!... I remember every antagonizing moment.
But I cannot get upset about things any more since my last hospital stay last week.
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